I encountered nb Goldcrest 1 mile south of Kidderminster approaching Falling Sands Bridge from the South and a tricky situation………
Suddenly (my recollection!) a narrow boat appeared approaching the bridge from the north. Skipper Don was forced to take immediate avoiding action and quickly turned to the right skilfully avoiding the bank and copious weeds before stopping. (Click on images for a larger view in a new window.)
The other boat passed peacefully by probably unaware of the fairly drastic action that had been taken by Don. Goldcrest could now continue…..
……passing the canal side hostelry Windmill Pub on the left (without stopping for some medicine to calm Don’s nerves. Admirable restraint!).
The following Saturday 4 September, by great chance I ran into Goldcrest again preparing to moor opposite The National Indoor Arena in Brindley Place on the BCN. (The fact that I live nearby increased the probability of the meeting but, well, I was just passing by!)
Don is on holiday here from New Zealand with his mother Joy, nephew Matt and sister Sue. Theircruising ring started at Stratford-upon-Avon, down the Avon to Tewksbury and up the Severn to Stourport-on-Severn. Then right onto the Satffs and Worcs passed Kidderminster to Stourton. Then right along the Stourbridge, Dudley No1 and Dudley No2 Canals taking the Netherton Tunnel to meet the BCN Main Line at Dudley Port Junction. Then it’s down the BCN to Birmingham and Brindley Place. Next they intend turning left at Old Turn Junction near Brindley Place onto the Fazeley Canal then turning right after Farmer’s Bridge Locks onto the Grand Union. Lastly they will take the Stratford Canal at Kingswood Junction (Lapworth) and back down to Stratford.
Perhaps Don would let me know if I got the route wrong.
Here is nb Goldcrest with Don at the tiller and boss Sue about to moor at Brindley Place.
Many thanks to Don for being so friendly and encouraging me to create this blog post. Do wave to them if you meet on the cut.
Geoff
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