Editor John Sadler writes
As we say goodbye to summer ’26, what stands out as memorable? The heat, the lack of rain, the number of closures?
From my point of view as a boater and non continuous cruiser of the network probably the number of times we had to re-plan our route to keep moving. Following a record wet spring, it was a new record hot summer. Despite looking for shade I was accusingly asked “are you English” which was justified by “well you look very brown”. We moored under trees until we read the news of a fallen beech tree. A lucky escape from personal injury for the owner but passing the damaged boat put a chill down my spine. Tree shade had to be under selected varieties.
Our first visit was to Symphony Hall in Birmingham to a concert we had booked in advance. The Wolverhampton 21 was not in great condition, I needed to recruit a helper to open one of the locks. We had visions of not making Birmingham in time for the concert. The flight closed shortly after for emergency repairs.
After that experience we were careful not to jeopardise our slipway reservation for a week of bottom blacking. Then we just needed to travel. The Staffs and Worcester was open so we travelled to Stourport.
We heard stories of the River Severn being ‘topped up’ from aquifers, seemed like an unusual approach but it was an easy route, no locks for us to do and enough water to float the boat. There were a few volunteers around although the most help came from experienced boaters who knew what to do. All in all it was a good experience and I was pleased that I was sufficiently able to achieve a timely result. Tardebigge reservoir was lower than I’ve ever seen it.
Back to Birmingham, by which time the Wolverhampton 21 was closed. To get back to our Shropshire Union base the only way was Delph 8 and Stourbridge 16 and a bit more of the Staffs and Worcester.
Having spent quite a few days in Birmingham this year I was reminded of one of the things that my Venetian friends are concerned about: Disneyfication. Just as Venice is a city supported by working canals, our canal network was and is a transport network. It now provides pleasure to many diverse groups but we should acknowledge and preserve its original purpose: a navigation.
Cruising through Summer Editor John Sadler
