Sunday 7th October -Lowsonford to Hockley Heath
We left Lowsonford early on Sunday morning, beautiful clear skies and mild temperatures. We were straight into the first of the 29 locks for the day. We took it in turns working three each, until we got to Lapworth and then we were blessed with the appearance of a volunteer lock keeper.
Jeff was brilliant, filling and opening locks ahead of us so that we climbed through the Lapworth Locks in record time. We didn't pass another boat the whole morning and the majority of the locks were set against us, so Jeff's assistance was most welcome!
Although the pounds and locks were pretty low in water, we didn't have any problems and completed the flight by 1pm and moored up for the night in Hockley Heath.
We moored opposite a line of permanently moored boats and the boat opposite seemed to having an open air jamming session, all very pleasant.
Close to here is the Blue Bell Cider House which was doing a roaring trade with bikers and families for Sunday Lunch and also Wedges Bakery where you can buy delicious bread and cakes.
Monday 8th October - Hockley Heath to Edgbaston
The next morning we continued on our way, passing Lyons Boatyard and a most unusual vessel moored up. Not sure what it was or what it will become!
Brandwood Tunnel is 275 yards with no towpath and room for just the one boat, but as you could see the end of the tunnel it wasn't a problem.
As we were approaching Birmingham we noticed an increase in the number of herons along the canal. They seemed less concerned about the narrowboats than others we have seen.
This is the remains of a swing bridge as we approached King's Norton Junction. Our book had suggested it was usually left open, but it had obviously been completely dismantled.
And then through the last lock on the Stratford canal, a guillotine stop lock, whose purpose originally was to keep the waters of the canal at least 1 inch above the water on the Birmingham and Worcester.
We have now joined the Worcester and Birmingham Canal as it takes us into Birmingham.
Coming up through the railway and road bridges we were struck by the skyline showing the massive redevelopment still ongoing in Birmingham.
We moored for the evening in The Vale, Edgbaston, close to the University Campus. and had a walk through the Village of Edgbaston.
Tuesday 9th October - Edgbaston to Brindley Place Birmingham.
Toby and I walked into Brindley Place and Dave brought the boat in. We moored opposite the Arena and spent the rest of the day shopping for food and a few bits and pieces for our new apartment.
Gas Street Basin looking magnificent in the afternoon sunshine.
Worcester Bar is no longer a lock, just a narrow channel where the lock used to be. It marks the point where the Worcester and Birmingham Canal joins the Birmingham Canals.
In the distance you can see The Mailbox, home of the BBC Birmingham and high end retail outlets. To the right is The Cube, but not in this photo.
In the Arena complex there is a new Legoland shop and playground with an enormous lego giraffe standing outside. We enjoyed a good look around the shop and bought a birthday present for our granddaughter, Bea.
Wednesday 10th October - a spin around Icknield Port Loop
We are staying another day in Birmingham but the boat is fcing the wrong way, so we took her for a spin around the smaller loop.
At the top of the loop is the Egbaston Reservoir and a boatyard tucked away.
As we rejoin the main canal, we see the bridge opposite carrying our family name.
The Icknield Loop is being redeveloped for 21st Century living, Port Loop, with townhouses being designed and made in factories before being brought to the area and placed ready made.
A little worrying that the whole area is being pumped dry of water before any of this can begin.
We went for a walk around the City and found the Cathedral and the Bull Ring. The weather was amazing, warm and sunny, with stunning blue skies.
Birmingham Cathedral, a church that became a Cathedral in a town that became a city.
St Phillip's Church was consecrated in 1715 and remained a church until 1905 when the first Bishop decided to use an existing church as the Cathedral and the Bishop's Seat,
We sat outside Bill's restaurant with Toby and had a cooling fruit cocktail.
In the evening we went to the Symphony Hall for the first time and listened to the new conductor, Kazuki Yamada, conducting the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra playing Ravel, Korngold and Bernstein. An amazing evening, beautifully played and much appreciated by the audience.
Thursday 11th October - Birmingham to Alvechurch
Thursday morning we made an early start, passing through the Worcester Bar, leaving behind the Birmigham Navigations and rejoining the Worcester and Birmingham Canal.
Another handsome heron on the outskirts of Birmingham, not at all bothered by our boat passing!
We continued on past Bournville, I had wondered if it was worth visiting, but Cadbury's World was obviously aimed at children, so gave it a miss.
Got to King's Norton Junction and for the first time ever, we continued straight on for Worcester, according to the finger post was 24.5 miles and 58 locks, homeward stretch!
Very soon we got to Wast Hill Tunnel, 1.55 miles long, it is wide enough to accommodate two narrowboats but there is no towpath. In the past horse drawn boats would have been 'legged' through the tunnel, no mean feat!
The headlight and navigation lights light up the tunnel and fortunately for us we didn't meet another boat.
I am in this photo, you can just make out the spots on my raincoat!
The Bittel Resevoirs were built to supply water to the canal so that chocolate crumb from Cadbury's, rock salt and coal could be transported along the canal. Today it attracts over 200 different species of wildfowl and is also home to many rare shoreline plants.
We passed under the M42 motorway and saw the short section of the canal that was re-routed to accommodate construction of the motorway in 1985.
We moored up at Alvechurch opposite Alvechurch boatyard and Marina. It is a large boat hire place and we have been kept entertained by the various comings and goings of hire and share boats.
Friday 12th - Saturday 13th October - Alvechurch
We have spent the last few days here sitting out Storm Callum, it has rained persistently and been very windy, so decided to stay put.
We enjoyed a lovely meeting with friends, Anne and Steve, at the Red Lion Inn Saturday lunchtime and will continue our cruise once the rain stops!
Map Key
Week 1 - Brown Week 2 - Purple Week 3 - Blue
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