PaulJ

OPEN

I know this has been posted on another thread but thought this may make it easier for anyone looking for info.. Presently sat (since yesterday) at Lapworth and cannot really understand this. Is the section below Lock 22 fed from a different source to the North Stratford/Knowle to Hatton pound? The North Stratford was suprisingly high with bywashes running the whole length yesterday. There has been no sign of anyone running any water down from Lock 22 so assume CRT are waiting for it to fill further down via whatever goes over the bywashes. Anyone on here stuck further down? Latest update from CRT Navigation Closure Update Lock 22 (Lapworth) to Red Lion (Stratford) Details Type: Navigation Closure Waterway(s): South Stratford Canal From: 6 July 2025 10:01 am To: On-going Region: West Midlands Reason: Low Water Levels Subject to review on: 9 July 2025 Location Closest waterway: South Stratford Canal Starts at: Lock 22 Ends at: Red Lion Descriptions Update 8 July 2025 9:56 am Please note that navigation on the South Stratford Canal remains closed due to ongoing low water levels. Our team attempted to refill the pounds yesterday; however, on returning this morning, they found that a paddle had been wound up overnight, resulting in the pounds being emptied once again. As a result, the canal will need to remain closed today while we continue efforts to restore water levels. We understand the inconvenience this causes and are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly and safely as possible. A further update will be provided tomorrow (Wednesday 9th July.)

Despite what the stoppage notice shows, you can get between Brum centre and Garrisons no problem. Plenty of water between Ashted and Garrisons

Nope but if it is pumped its a bloody useless one as the second pound down is always empty with the wb in there high and dry 😀

For anyone thinking of trying it, it wasnt that terrible. Mostly. Pound between Curdworth lock no 2 and No 1 was particulary low. Much scraping, tilting over and I did get well stuck in the Bridge hole until I let down a couple of lockfuls from No 1. Could have made it easier but I didnt want to drop the pound above No 1. It was all a bit pointless really as I just got to Minworth as CRT announced the Camp Hill Closure, followed ten minutes later by closure of that whole section of GU due to lack of water. Still trying to work out if the pound between Camp Hill /Bordesley Junction and Ashted is passable or not as this is now the only possible route through left other than going back!

Thanks @RAB Thats very useful, appreciated and confirmed what I was told by another boat (Cheers to @GRLMK38 for the headsup-as a bonus met up with them last night too) Having taken the decision to reroute on my way to Stratford on Avon, to avoid the Stockton stoppage , I really didnt want to go the long way round to get even more stuck 😀

Anyone been through Minworth/Curdworth recently ? Appreciate any info. Notice hasnt been updated since 16th June, I was told its low but still presumably passable as it hasnt been closed or pumps repaired. Yet. Ive got approx 27" inch draught so nothing too challenging he says optimistically.

We will pass somewhere as Im collecting from Saltford on Sunday on my way to Stratford on Avon. Thames funnily enough has caused me the most problems this year so far with me arriving at various locks and unable to get through until someone comes along to reset them/ turn the power back on- Whitchurch has had to have divers come to it several times when debris stuck in the silt keeps the gates from shutting.

Ive just left the K&A-came on at Reading and finished at Keysham. Ive also done Devizes to the Thames several times since April. Its not bad at the moment- Burghfield lock is due to be repaired soon and at present CRT are assisting boats through- its a bit of a buggar getting a level on it. Swinesford is by far the worst lock if you go that far. Took me about an hour and still had to winch a gate open as the last 5-6 inches didnt seem to get any less!

Heres a different one...

I love a bit of swan 'ology. A good mate once demonstrated a different swan domination technique on our then local top dog swan. The swan for ever after could single him out from a good distance and would even fly at him if he tried to get past in a dinghy 😀

Yep tried all that 😀

Well , in my experience, that really depends on whether the boat coming towards you is trying to tell you where they are going or where they think you should go - and how you interpret their bizzare and frantic hand gestures 😀

If you can time it right Id try and stop at Kensal Green and then go straight through to at least Tottenham. It is all particulary rammed between there at the mo- though to be fair there was never going to be many spots for a 70 x 12 arriving late evening...have fun 😀

Tied up just above Common Moor Lock about midday. Actually had some lunch sat still and then a little snooze 😀 Which is why you wont have seen me.. Noone on lock landing last night so must be fairly recent.