Cruised through the Netherton Tunnel. Nothing came through towards us. No boat ramming us like in Blissworth Tunnel. it was all very tame. the other side of the hill was so different from Birmingham, seemingly peaceful and rustic, yet the Dudley canal was pronounced unsuitable for overnight mooring apart from Merryhill. I guess that's when all the Zombies come out to play.
At the bottom of Delph 8
We should have stopped there but carried on through the super deep Delph locks, speeded on our way by a local canal enthusiast called John. Thanks John, 8 locks in 80 minutes, that's flying for a crew of 2. We were not so lucky at the next flight of 16 locks a couple of miles further on. the locks took ages to fill and the gates were very heavy due to the deep locks. We dropped 145 feet in 1.3 miles and eventually moored up after 8.00 exhausted.
After converting the extra bed back into sofas and feeding the crew we set off across Birmingham. Sarah-Lou took loads of photos of the young geese but the morning grew colder and colder. The wind got stronger and everyone scuttled inside leaving Paul to steer into the wind which felt as if it had come from the arctic.
On the New Main Line
I took over so he could warm up and it was freezing. I was wearing a jumper, fleece, coat, leggings under my trousers, fleecy boots woolly hat and gloves IN MAY. I must have looked a right sight.
Tram and Trolleybus
Paul took the executive decision to turn down the Gower branch to get out of the head wind. it worked and we were sheltered at the bottom of the flight. It was interesting working the staircase locks as they were the only ones on the BCN.
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Steam Engine in front of the shops
Back in Birmingham
Gas Street Basin
The sun battled out as we approached Dudley and we had a super visit to the Black Country Museum where they have made a village showing how we used to live
Many of the houses and shops were dismantled and brought to the museum and then reconstructed so it was fascinating to look round.
Next day we had a sunny and warm trip back to Birmingham via the old Wolverhampton line. After Sarah-Lou and Russ caught their train I spent the afternoon painting illustrations for my picture story book The Disappearing Pet.
The race is on to meet my daughter and her husband in Birmingham. We have driven to Kings Bromley taking 3 hours, loaded the boat and set out on a 3 day journey into Birmingham which we passed on our way to the boat. After loading up we set out on the Trent and Mersey canal glad to be on the water again.
Canada Geese with young
At the first lock the boat coming up rammed the top gate so hard it burst open a foot before slamming shut with the weight of water behind it. The girl with the windlass seemed surprised at the boaters loss of control after whizzing the paddles to the top. That's why boaters should raise the paddles SLOWLY. No wonder lock gates malfunction sometimes with this kind of abuse. We once had to abandon our boat for 3 weeks due to a lock gate being broken while a new one was made.
After that excitement we locked down onto the Coventry canal, and found it quiet. we seemed to be the only boat moving.
Underground boating
In the morning we turned onto our third canal the Birmingham and Fazeley past a vast nature reserve. One of the lakes had been drained and lay as a sea of chocolate earth. Today was Canada Geese day. There were virtually no ducks, swans or coots on the canal but the geese were rearing chicks along the entire stretch into Birmingham.
Locking under a high rise building
Next morning the race was on. Sarah-Lou's train would arrive at 6.00 but we had loads of locks to do. after the first 3 we had 23 locks in 2 miles. Some of the canal passed deep under 8 storey buildings which made me feel as if we were in a series of tunnels and caves. As we started the underground section we saw a man portaging his canoe around the locks. he had a high tech artificial leg and was nippier on his feet than the passing walkers half his age.
We arrived beating the train by an hour and found super moorings in the centre of Birmingham, quiet but close to the pubs and bars which were bursting at the seams.
Paul turned the engine ready to head for our new marina but
the starter battery was dead. Paul replaced it and we headed out him driving
the boat and me the car. I had a fabulous drive to Marston Doles through
picturesque scenery, England at her best. I passed rolling fields with black
headed lambs and stone cottages topped with thatch. More unusual was the
thatched dovecote.
I parked next to the lock and spent the next hour drawing
the illustrations for The Intrepid Pony Escapes. I tried out the walkie-talkie
but Paul was out of range. Instead I heard a desperate woman saying her son
needed a wee-wee!
By the time Paul arrived we had enjoyed hot sun, rain then
hail and wind but we locked down in sunshine.
Next morning we tackled the Napton flight. I drove to a hump back bridge part way down the flight and walked Lottie to meet Paul. She took exception to the herd of Water Buffalo (the only herd I've seen in England) and barked, but they stared majestically as if to say haven't you ever seen such beefiness. As we locked down the Napton windmill was etched against the sky. I'll miss this corner of England
On one of my stints at driving the boat I passed a farm that
bred rare sheep. They had mottled brown and white wool on the front half and plain
white behinds. The lambs were frolicking in the sunshine. A mile further on
shire horses and foals grazed peacefully. Once they would have been a common
sight but now they are rare having been replaced long ago by the tractor. The
moorhens were modest in their off spring boasting only two black fluffy chicks
whereas the ducks competed vulgarly for the most offspring. Eight is not
unusual but today one had ten chicks and the winner had thirteen. Now that’s a
big family.
Hartshill
I reached Hartshill first parked the car and walked to meet the boat. Unfortunately I turned the wrong way and went a mile before I realised the bridge numbers were getting higher not lower. Never mind a power walk is good for health. We had a scenic evening moored near the old BW yard at Hartshill. The area was peaceful and the reflections were superb.
On the sixth day of our epic voyage I left the boat after
locking at Fradley and started the two mile walk back to the car when I realised
the car keys And the walkie-talkie were in the boat chugging away. I ran waving
frantically and caught him before he had passed the moored boats and picked up
speed.
The new marina was idyllic, quiet with wide lakes and green
spaces unlike many cluttered marinas. Lottie loved it as she was given a dog
treat in the office.
I'm back home after a week wrestling to keep the boat moving in a straight line in gusting winds. Narrow boats are slab sided and catch the wind like a sail making moving on the winding Oxford canal hazardous. Still we had a super time with my mother who acted like a child feeding the ducks and swans and enjoying the sight of new born lambs. Bless her, she has been house bound until last autumn looking after my father who suffered from acute dementia. At least the wind didn't spoil her trip. Sadly the resident swans have abandoned their nest, perhaps their eggs were stolen.
Back from the boat and the weather today is warm and sunny, that's English weather for you. Now we have to plan moving the boat north the above Birmingham, tricky when we have to move the car as well. We will start that trip next week. it will be sad to say farewell to the Oxford Canal but it will be lovely to explore new places this summer, especially if we get some sun.
Thursday, 4 April 2013
Phil Carpenter,
Linedance Instructor and Choregrapher
answers Twenty Questions
Phil and the Beavercreek dancers performing Got It All
Phil
Carpenter is a Linedance Instructor and Choregrapher trying hard to get
published. His
dances have been well received locally including his two latest dances: GOT IT
ALL and BORN TO BE BLUE.
Two of
his dances: TOUCH'N GO and 2 TIMES were given accreditation on two music C.D.s,
with the step sheets for the dances being printed within the music credit
booklet accompanying the c.d.
How did you become a
line dance instructor?
I found line dance structures interesting and started
creating some dances of my own. I was encouraged (by Karen Jones) to teach them
to a class to get them danced, so becoming a Linedance instructor came
naturally from being a choreographer.
When did you start
writing dances?
My advance into choreography was
aided by Karen Jones. Caroline ( My Wife) and I attended her club LINEDANCE
KRAZY and learnt the different steps in various dance routines. Karen choreographed
ISLANDS IN THE STREAM which became a no 1 hit and was voted Line dance of the
year. It is still a floor filler today. Caroline & I were with her when she
first taught the dance to 25-30 people in Crawley and again we were with her in
Blackpool when she picked up her Dance of the Year award at ‘The Crystal Boot
Awards’ ceremony.
Karen helped me write dance scripts and showed me how to
teach a Line dance class even though I had previously instructed Ballroom &
Latin American. During this learning period, I am proud that Karen called me
her apprentice. I hope I have served my apprenticeship.
What’s the difference between ballroom dancing and
line dancing?
In the Ballroom & Latin world
shaping and structure comes from dancing with partners. In Line dancing,
individuals of all differing abilities dance in a line so the structures and
shaping are completely different. The dance becomes a pattern which when done
well, is pleasing on the eye.
What’s the best thing
about being a dance instructor/choreographer?
It is rewarding to see 50+ people enjoy a dance I’ve created
and taught them, regardless of their individual level, especially when they dance
with increased confidence on following weeks. It’s brilliant seeing a room full
of strangers all doing my dance at a social or charity night. I’ve
had the pleasure of teaching at Country Festivals; and have been invited to
teach at various clubs around the U.K. The icing on the cake was teaching in
Cyprus and various venues in the U.S.A. A great experience and great memories.
And what’s the worst?
The lack of feedback from dancers is frustrating.
Sometimes a class is unresponsive to the dance I am teaching, be it my work or another
choreographers. After extensive preparation it’s hard when some dancers walk
off the floor, while others finish the dance and say nothing, but sit out the
next time it’s done. Knowing their likes and dislikes would help me create an
enjoyable evening with less preparation, but I don’t expect feedback to
increase any time soon, Heh Ho!
What do line dance
clubs offer?
Apart from dancing, clubs offer a
relaxed atmosphere for people to make friends, particularly those living on
their own such as the divorced and widowed. I have known people who have met
dancing and gone on to become engaged.
Our club in particular, organizes Line
dancing weekends away which are well supported and help strengthen friendships
made through the club.
Tell us about you working
experience.
First I served a 5 year Plumbing
apprenticeship, then I obtained 4years experience as a qualified Plumbing &
Heating engineer before I moved into the office world and became a Buyer.
I had a short spell as a Branch
Manager for a Heating retail outlet, but it was not for me and so I returned to
the world of Buying until I was made redundant.
While out of work, I attended college
and obtained a Cotac qualification for the Travel Industry. This led to me working
for London & Country Buses in their travel office.
After that I started as a sole trader in the world of
Gardening. I am pleased to say that this has worked out and I am still trading.
Have you ever had an
embarrassing moment?
Apart from missing penalties and simple chances at goal
whilst playing Football, I can’t really think of anything too embarrassing.
What dancers need
most?
They need to be gently coaxed along by reviewing the
steps to a number of dances, until they have gained the confidence to get onto
the dance floor and dance without assistance.
Who is your dancing
hero?
I do not have a dancing hero, just a lot of respect for
those who have mastered the art.
What do you think of
other choreographers?
.
In footballing terms, there is the
Premier Division, with a number of choreographers who are the driving force and
earn their living from this world. Their scripts are published in Line dance
magazines and most people dance their compositions. The professionals do what
it says on the tin, they choreograph great dances and keep Line dancing alive
and interesting.
The rest are in the lower divisions trying to gain
promotion. They watch and learn from the top guys and hope for that elusive
break, to become recognised. Who knows how long that will take? But upsets and
surprises happen in the F.A. Cup, so I remain positive with fingers crossed.
What are you reading?
Caroline is the book reader in our
house, she always has her nose in a novel.
I tend to read Newspapers, Line Dance journals, or I am
reading and learning dance scripts or writing them.
Which was your favourite book when you were a
child?
When I was younger I used to enjoy reading the novels of
Arthur Hailey.
What did you want to be when you were twelve?
When I was 12, I always wanted to become a Professional
Footballer.
What is your proudest achievement?
There are 2 things that I am proudest
of:
I played Football to a Senior
Amateur level (Today I would be classified a Semi Professional) I had dances accredited on 2 separate Line Dance
Fever C.D compilations. The Dances were 2 TIMES & TOUCH’N GO; they were
listed on the music track and the scripts were published within the accompanying
music booklet.
What would you like to
see happen in the future?
In the future I would like to see an
honest & fairer country for all. Politicians would to do their duty honestly,
and look after the people in this country, not serve their own interests. They would prove they could do the job, so we would not
see today’s incompetence. Pigs will probably fly, but one can but hope.
What are your fondest memories?
Childhood
holidays with family and friends at various coastal resorts around the UK. Attending
Football matches around the country, including Wembley Stadium, and watching my
favourite team, Sheffield Wednesday. Meeting
Caroline for the first time and our wedding in Hawaii. During this holiday we
had a number of memorable experiences including a visit to Pearl Harbour. Tell us about your
hobbies away from dancing.
I enjoy photography, especially taking pictures of landscapes
and my dog Buster. Caroline and I enjoy concerts. Recently we were fortunate to
see Andre Rieu in concert, in his home town of Maastricht in the Netherlands;
we will watch him there again this year. We have also seen Katherine Jenkins in
concert a few times.
Where do you hope to be when you’re 70?
It’s a long way into the future, but
hopefully I will be living near the coast in good health, still dancing and
with more money in the bank than at the present time.
What was/ would be your dream holiday?
I think we have already had our dream
holiday.
When Caroline & married, we selfishly
took a month off work and spent 1 week in San Francisco, then 2 weeks Island
hopping in Hawaii and finally a week in San Diego.
We actually got married on the Island of Hawaii in a
sunset ceremony. The following morning we took our first ever helicopter ride
over an erupting volcano, then to complete this superb holiday , we went
swimming with Dolphins.
What superpower would
you like to have?
My super power would have to be the ability to look into
the future. I’d find out which artists were bringing out new, great tracks, and choreograph dances ahead of everyone
else. I could also pick out the winning lottery numbers.
PHIL LEADING BEAVER CREEK LINE DANCERS IN HIS DANCE BORN TO BE BLUE WITH CHRIS THE CLUB LEADER
Lottie lay quietly while we packed for the boat. Has she
learnt it slows us down when she bounces around getting in the way? Normally by
now we would be cruising but the boat is still overwintered due to the cold.
Lottie didn’t mind but enjoyed an invigorating walk along Fenny Tunnel where
snow still clung to the sides of the cutting while clumps of violets proclaimed
spring at the bottom of the slope. On the way back she saw an otter sunning
itself on the towpath and had to give chase. The otter was in the water in a
flash. Excitement over, she settled down on the dinette and soaked up the heat
from the wood burner.
The Oxford canal was iced solid next morning, looking
beautiful in the sunshine. The resident swans were mating in an ice locked pool
early in the morning; I suppose it’s one way to keep warm. An hour later she
was settling down on last year’s refurbished nest while he rooted about the
ploughed field for food.
Two hire boats passed by smashing a narrow gash in the ice.
I bet when they hired they didn’t think they would be breaking ice in April.
Although the sun is out the wind is arctic, but Mister Man braved the cold to
do maintenance jobs outside. Maybe we’ll start our cruise next week.
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