From Mike.Casswell@troy.blacksheep.org Tue Apr 13 14:29:25 1999
Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1999 19:24:37 +0000
From: Mike.Casswell@troy.blacksheep.org
Reply-To: canals@blacksheep.org
To: canals@blacksheep.org
Subject: Trip Report, Day 4

We had allowed ourselves to run out of water on one boat, so a 7.30 
start was made with most crew still abed. We were pleased to find a 
new sanitary station and water point at Kinver, rather than having to 
go as far as Stewponey as expected. A wander round the village of 
Kinver, followed by a greasy 'chips in paper' lunch.

The last time we visited the Staffs and Worcester, some five years 
ago, we could see that it was a very atractive canal but we were 
enjoying strong winds with driving hail and rain which took the edge 
off it slightly. We resolved at the time to return and have another 
look.

The plan for today was to run up the S&W, then turn and return to the 
Navigation at Greenforge lock for the night. This we started on this 
afternoon, only to experience strong winds with driving hail and 
rain, exactly the same as before. We are beginning to wonder if the 
canal might have a fixed microclimate!

We were committed, though, and carried on. The wind above Hinksford 
lock very nearly defeated us, but we made it with a lot of full 
throttle crabbing down the cut. Winded at Giggetty Wharf and returned 
to the Navigation as planned, arriving at 7.20. Canterbury, at 68', 
went round easily, a 70' would go with a bit of persuasion.

Report on the Navigation tomorrow.
-- 
Mike  Casswell

On the move - posted using Nokia 9000i