We started off early today as the rain was due after lunch. It was 0800 when we cast off. We were only going for five minutes until I stopped at the bridge to get the paper. There was nothing moving other than a few joggers and it was still and warm making the next couple of hours of lock free chugging a delight.
The route was largely overhung by big trees and as there was no wind there were some good reflections in the water.
The canal and tow path were very clean, and the water was clear. It changed a little after Yardley Road Bridge but it was still not as bad as I have seen in suburban areas.
We soon were at Camp Hill Sanitary Station and I must say it is one of the best kept on the system I have come across. I expect that this is largely due to the fewer numbers of boats that pass here. The sun was still shining when we got there and Macy cat took advantage of the shade of the solar panels whilst we did the needful before heading down the six locks.
Just as we were coming to the top lock a single-hander was coming up so we had high hopes that all would be with us on the way down. After helping him through his last lock we set off. I found that most of the locks required partial filling though due to the leaking bottom gates. This is Holy Trinity Church Camp Hill which now seems to be an oasis in a desert of industry and roads. It was built in 1823 and also featured in a court case when the in 1880 the incumbent went against his Bishop and started introducing 'popish' ways into the services of the Church of England. He refused to attend his trial but got the maximum penalty under the Public Worship Regulation Act anyway, imprisonment and dismissal from the Parish. It ceased use as a church in 1971 and became a refuge for the homeless and I must say there are several of them living under bridges in the area at the moment. It was up for sale for £3million last year if you are interested.
Helen powering round the turn heading for our fourth lock down.
We got to the bottom lock and the weather was still holding for us. Each of the top gates had individually marked steel parts. The still must be magnificent quality as the letters are still crisp after over 100 years. 6CH 1894. (Lock 6 Camp Hill 1894). I wonder why they went to the expense of casting them with individual lettering as I would think that they are all the same size. Although the dates did seem to spread over two or three years. Bordesley Junction must be one of the least impressive junctions on the system as it is hemmed in by tall factories and is graffiti covered. Mind you it must have been very busy even into the 1960's as the traffic would have been very busy with horse drawn day boats taking city rubbish to Small Heath where the incinerator is now, or energy recovery facility as they are now called.
In past times this was a Fellows Morton and Clayton warehouse. It is called the Bond and has been nicely tided up with it's undercover arm and meeting rooms etc. The only thing missing, from the canal at least, is anything canal related!
On the right is the Fyffes banana shed next to the sop lock that is called Warwick Bar. the more famous Worcester Bar at Gas Street is not nearly as impressive. The tallest building in the distance is another FMC ltd warehouse that was built in the 1930's after the upgrade of the Grand Union with a rounded wall where it lead round into a small arm. You can just get a hit of it in this photo. The Bond warehouse is just past it.
Wouldn't you just know it as soon as we were through Warwick bar and turning on to the Digbeth Branch we meet only the second boat of the day. We managed to make no contact and were soon on our way. This is the boat passing through Warwick Bar.
On passing through Curzon Street Tunnel, where there were no lights at all we were soon at the start of the Ashted Locks. There seems to be have been an aweful lot of building here since our last passing. Most of the buildings seem to be for Birmingham University and there still seems much more to come. The east end of the town centre is having a lot of money spending on it and this is part of it. If and when the HS2 to Birmingham gets built Curzon Street Station will be the terminus in Birmingham.
With two locks to do the rain had started to ooze down. It wasn't really enough to put any wet weather gear on so we just carried on through Ashted Tunnel to our final lock. Helen sheltering from the rain until the lock is prepared for her.
We didn't go much further than the winding hole and moored up on the 48hr spaces near Lister Street Bridge. By now it had started bucketing down so we were glad to get inside and into dry gear. It has already stopped by the time I am writing this. It took us 105mins to do the 12 locks and around 1.7miles so we feel we did well.
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