Patricia has landed

This afternoon, we took delivery of Patricia at Western Depot, all 20.5 tonnes of narrow beam dredger, which arrived from Eynsham in Oxfordshire.  Originally built in the 60's for BW, she has seen little use in recent times and is fully operational, however, there are a number of jobs which will be needed before she can enter service.  An assessment of the work will take place shortly.

An 160 tonne crane performed the lift, which took a fraction of the time taken to prepare the set up.  The dredger consists of a bog standard JCB back end.  The bucket will probably be replaced for a clam shell type, which has worked so well on our other dredger. 

Work will take place out in the car park where she now rests.  The job's list will probably grow as we uncover the inner details of the craft.  As you can see, she is self propelled.

There are 4 hydraulically powered feet which are deployed prior to dredging.  The metalwork could well do with some serious TLC, the rams will also require a  referb'.  

Bonds Mill - update

You may not have seen the transformation that has taken place at Bonds Mill with the removal of the overhanging Willow trees.  This was the result of a fine effort from the WRGies recent working party.

Your fundraising team had a meeting in the Gate House this afternoon and the opportunity was taken to capture the much improved aspect of this part of the canal.

 View west

View east

The first craft through Bowbridge Lock

This morning and after a team meeting, we broke the ice (to get the gates open!) and our dredger team took their boats through Bowbridge Lock for the first time since restoration.  

The water level was not up to the spill weir, so it was heavy going with a degree of weed dredging to clear a passage.  The water levels did improve as time passed.

Another historic event in our restoration of the Cotswold Canals.

3mm of Ice in the Lock

From little water in the pound above Bowbridge yesterday, this morning, it was over half way up, but not enough to take the boats through.  Tomorrow, there will hopefully be sufficient level following 24 hours of melt water to proceed up to Stantons Bridge.

I knew we should have brought the Nav' Lights!

Today, the Armada set off for Stanton's Bridge.  The voyage was initially in question due to fairly continuous snow on Sunday, but it was not too bad in the valley bottom to present a serious concern, so the trip was on.

Firstly, the stop planks had to be extracted from Walbridge Lower Lock  entrance.  A tricky operation employing two land based volunteers assisted by Augustus.  Eight had to be teased out before we  could move forward.  

It was a tight fit in the lock but with the two work boats alongside each other the bottom gates could then be closed.  The mud barge, Weft, followed after the three work boats and was hand-balled in, as it was at Wallbridge Upper Lock.  The historic Armada then continued up the canal.

Weft rising in Wallbridge Upper Lock.  It makes a snug fit between the gates.

The canal was a bit tight for Augustus, up to the bridge at Dr. Newtons Way overbridge.  Wookey Hole propelling Weft was a considerable length, but was just able to make the tight turns around Capel's Mill.  

Arrival at Bowbridge was much like the HLF journey, in that, there was insufficient water in the pound above to progress any further.  So, the work boats were moored in the empty lock, whilst Weft sat outside tied to the scenery.  Unlike the HLF trip, we were now in fast fading light and plummeting temperatures.

It was an all action day making this trip.  All the volunteer crews and bystanders had an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

As they say:  "Onwards and upwards" - but another day...

Barring a few stop planks..

...The way is now clear for the work boat fleet to move into Wallbridge Lower and move up the T&S to work above Bowbridge.  The mighty AP spikes have now been installed, these should prevent all humans and local wildlife from attempting a balancing act on the pipes, but will certainly make a great perch for a Kingfisher or two.

Bob needs.....

Do you know where we can find a good petrol concrete mixer, just like this one?