Date - 23 /08/08 Day - Saturday Start - 0915 End - 1430 Harnser's present position http://tinyurl.com/Harnser-s-route
We set off at 9 15 and only went a few hundred yards before stopping at Lime Kiln Narrowboats to have a £10 pump out before pushing on to the bottom of the Wolverhampton 21. Here we encountered the beginning of the moored boats for the IWA National Festival, the sun was shining and every one looked happy. We carried on to Autherley Junction to turn left on to the Shropshire Union Canal. Her we were met by a BW chap to asked us to wait under the bridge while his mat worked the boat ahead through, before working us through. On the Sharpie there were boats both sides of the canal, the show boats on the right and festival goers on the left. The moorings had been arranged to leave large bays to pass oncoming boats which we had to use twice. I think you have to hand it to who ever organised the moorings, there were no real pinch point, just a couple that were signed as one way traffic with passing bays but even then I think it would have been possible for two boats to pass. All the boats we saw seemed to have got into the side OK but the end ones did have a good walk ahead of them. We spoke to a few friends on the way by but decided not to stop at the visitor moorings and visit the festival. Once passed all the moorings we made good time with deep clear water. Just before we reached Brewood friends rang and said they were in the area so we met them in Brewood and took them for a ride to Wheaton Aston to fill up with diesel, unfortunately when we arrived they had closed for the day so we just filled with water and made our way back to Brewood for the night just as all the hire boats were setting off. Hopefully we will be able to fill with diesel in the morning at Wheaton Aston. -- Brian <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Join SOW and help save our waterways http://www.saveourwaterways.org
