Its aims of course are for boaters to experience the northern reaches of the Birmingham Canal Navigation system with fellow boaters, that will include historical talks and presentations en route:
Friday 19th August meet at Titford (6 locks)
Boats to meet at Titford (511 ft BCN summit)
Informal gathering to discuss cruise and social evening at the BCNS headquarters are planned.
For those wishing to explore the Titford Pools, advice on travelling there will be given.
Saturday 20th August, to Tipton (4 miles,6 locks, 3-4 hours)
Leave moorings and descend the Titford locks (The Crow) We will be assisted by BCNS lockwheelers during the flight. Turn left on the Old Main Line at Oldbury Junction, through Tividale and moor at Tipton Green. Moor on visitor moorings on the ‘John the Lock' moorings on the Neptune medical centre side adjacent to Owen St Bridge, or opposite. Historical talk and presentation at a local venue planned.
Day 1 [?] Sunday 21st August, to Wednesfield Junction (7 miles 0 locks 4 hours)
Leave moorings and continue on the Old Main Line towards Wolverhampton, through Coseley, passing Deepfields Junction, with option to explore this arm to the Bradley workshop. On to Horseley Fields Junction and turn right on the Wyreley & Essington Canal. Moor in or around the Bentley Arm at Wednesfield Junction.
Social get together at the Nickelodeon pub.
Day 2 [?] Monday 22nd August to Walsall Town Basin (9 miles 8 locks 6 hours)
Leave Wednesfield and continue on the Wyrley & Essington through Lane Head, Sneyd Junction and turn right at Birchills Junction. Now on the Walsall canal descend the Walsall locks (8) then turn left into Walsall Town Arm and moor in the Town Basin.
Day 3 Tuesday 23rd August, to Moorcroft Junction (4 miles 0 locks 2-3 hours)
Leave Walsall town basin turning left on the Walsall canal through Pleck, Darlaston & Moxley and moor at Moorcroft Junction
At around noon we will take a 1.5 mile leisurely walk to the Bradley Workshops lock gate manufacturing facility. We plan to walk on a well defined footpath up the remaining lock flight levels, then on the original canal embankment to the Bradley Workshops where we will be met by CaRT staff and allowed to tour the lock gate manufacturing facility.
After the visit, an optional detour around the Wednesbury Oak Loop and Gospel Oak. Bankside Social get-together planned.
Day 4 Wednesday 24th August, to Longwood Junction (7 miles 9 locks 4 hours)
Continue on the Walsall canal to Ocker Hill and turn left on the Tame Valley Canal passing the notorious M5/M6 junction over many aqueducts to Newton Junction. Here turn left on the Rushall canal ascend the Rushall Locks and moor at Longwood Junction. Here we will be met by Longwood Boat Club members to assist in moorings. An evening fish & chips supper and fundraising raffle in the Club House is planned.
Day 5 Thursday 25th August to Anglesey basin (8 miles 0 locks 3 hours)
Leave the Longwood Boat Club to continue on the Daw End canal through Walsall Wood to Catshill Junction. Here turn right on the Anglesey Branch, passing Ogley Junction and moor in and around the Anglesey Basin. There are excellent walks around the old colliery nature reserve and a visit of the Chasewater Reservoir visitor attractions is strongly recommended.
Day 6 Friday 26th August, to Pelsall Common (5 miles 0 locks 2-3 hours)
Leave Anglesey Basin and return to Catshill Junction, turn right, go through Brownhills and continue on to Pelsall. On arrival, boaters will be directed where to moor at the Pelsall Common rally site.
Tried and tested
All moorings have been tried and tested. In some locations, we will need to breast up in 2 or 3 deep. On all of the above lock flights we will be assisted by BCNS lockwheelers.
Note: this cruise is only intended for those boaters who will attend the IWA Festival of Water Rally on Saturday 27th to Monday 29th August. Please apply for the relevant boat entry form for this event, as it is not included in the Explorer Cruise.
Application forms are available from www.waterways.org.uk/festivalofwater