Birmingham to Hockley Heath.
15 Miles, no locks, 1 electric lift bridge.
We left Birmingham at 9.15 this morning after a visit to the Sainsbury's Local in Broad Street, a typical city centre small supermarket, plenty of fruit and sandwiches on display for busy people in a hurry (although not us thankfully).
The wind was really cold first thing and being surrounded by tall buildings which kept the sun off us didn't help. Once we moved around the corner it warmed up.
It looks expensive and it was.
Leaving the City Centre, passing through what was the Warwick Bar.
Entering Edgbaston Tunnel with the Railway tunnel on the right.
It's the only canal tunnel I know of with lights.
Birmingham's answer to the Pontcysyllte.
We crossed the new Ariel Aqueduct at Selly Oak, the Aqueduct is named after the the Ariel Motorcycle Factory which used to be in Selly Oak but has long since gone.
The turn onto the Stratford Canal at Kings Norton is very tight for a 70 foot boat but we got round ok, who needs a bowthruster (I do).
Through the Guillotine lock (always open).
One thing we have noticed today is the amount of Graffiti on every flat surface, even this lock.
Jayne lowering Shirley Draw Bridge, today we managed
to hold up an old lady in her car and a motorcyclist.
Around 3.45 we moored at Hockley Heath by the Wharf Tavern, tonight we had an exellent meal in the pub at a very good price, the beer was also well priced for a canal side pub, Courage Directors, £2.80 a pint.
2 comments:
Nice to see you today after reading your blog for ages. You sure do have a really lovely boat, looks fantastic! I agree with you.. Bowthrusters are the biz! I also wish I had one ;-)
Newbold Tunnel has lights - coloured ones! I'm told they're switched off at night so as not to confuse the bats. And I seem to remember Deansgate Tunnel in Manchester is lit.
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