September again.

We started the month on the Digbeth Branch Canal near the centre of Birmingham. This mooring is opposite Aston University Buildings.

We turned up the Farmers Bridge Locks at Aston Junction and headed for here, Cambrian Wharf, on the Birmingham and Fazeley canal. I stayed there for a week whilst Helen went home.

We set off north again via some slight diversions. This is the Icknield Port Loop with the dam for the Rotton Park Reservoir behind the maintenance yard.

  

We crossed over the BCN Main Line and straight on to the Soho Loop with Hockley Port and Winson Green Prison.

At Smethwick Junction we turned up on to the BCN Old line and climbed the three locks. The photo is from the top lock looking back down.

We then turned into the Engine Arm for an over night mooring. The tow path bridge over the Arm is tiny and the aqueduct is travelling over the BCN New Main Line below.

We then went back on the Old Main Line all the way to Factory Junction where the Old and New Main Lines of the BCN reunite. We then turned up the Wryley and Essington Canal at Horseley Junction to moor at Wednesdfield Junction again.

The following day we headed back to the BCN and passed down the Wolverhampton 21 locks. Helen is near Lock 20 at the bottom in the photo.

We were soon back on the Staffordshire and Worcester Canal. Soon after Autherley Junction you come to Pendeford Rockin where the canal is 'single track with passing places' as it has be cut out of solid sandstone.

After a couple of days we were soon back at Great Haywood and back on the Trent and Mersey canal. We turned north and these trimmed willows were found just north of Stone.

Once again through the Harecastle tunnel we returned to the Macclesfield canal at Hardings Wood Junction. The photo is of Hall Green Lock which is actually where the join of the Macclesfield and trent and Mersey Canals was made.

After a few days of mixed weather on the Macclesfield we got to Marple and the Peak Forest canal. We descended the 16 Marple Locks and then here we are passing over the River Goyt Aqueduct next to the rail viaduct. In a more salubrious place the place would be thronged with visitors as the whole canal-scape in this area is wonderful.

At the north end of the Peak Forest canal we put into Portland Basin Dry Dock. We had to have our propeller blades straightened after something went through them in Stone, and took the opportunity to black the hull, which badly needed it.

After five days in dock, and me going home for a couple of days we were off on our travels again. Not far through just to Fairfield Junction on the Ashton Canal. This is near Audenshaw. We then moored at Droylsden for a week as were going to pick our daughter up from the airport after she had been away from home over a year.