Through the hill to Paradise.

It proved to be a good mooring as we didn't wake up, once through the night. This morning there was a bugle playing in the distance about 0930 then something like the Muslim call to prayer that went on for about half an hour before we left. I wonder what it was?

Netherton Branch Canal from Dudley Port Junction with the tunnel in the distance.

BCN cottages, the aqueduct where the Old Main Line crosses over the level of the New Main Line.

The best I could do of the tunnel. It is 1.75 miles long and is two way with two footpaths. It was built in 1858 to relieve the massive congestion of the Dudley and Lapal tunnels.

After about 35 mins we were once again in the sunlight. I got fully rigged up in gear as I thought that it would be cold and draughty in the tunnel, but it seemed to be warmer than outside and was pretty dry too. This is the southern portal.

 Cobb's Engine House from the junction of the Dudley No.1 Canal, Dudley No.2 Canal and the Boshboil Arm.

Passed under High Bridge. This was actually Brewin's Tunnel that was built in 1838. The Navvies came across a seam of hard igneous Basalt rock and had to tunnel through. It only lasted 20 years as then they were able to open it up but this narrow still survives.

St Andrew's Church in Netherton seems to be visible from everywhere in this area. The landscape in the foreground was the area of a plethora of coal mines but now makes fora great green space.

We stopped at Blowers Green Lock to take on water and get rid of the rubbish before heading down the lock.

From Blowers Green the canal to Dudley Tunnel heads up through the Park Head Locks. The canal cottage is in a nice setting and as the tunnel is almost inaccessible to a normal vessel it would make a great mooring.

We were soon at the 'Waterfront' and moored up below the office blocks. After soup we went for a walk down to the Merryhill Centre. The only reason we were shopping again was a deal struck that I would be able to visit the Vine pub, more normally known as the 'Bull and Bladder'. This is the home of Batham's Brewery and is my all time favourite (so far anyway).

There is a central passage way with several rooms off. It was comfortable and warm on a very cold day. The beer was magnificent. They only had two the bitter and the mild. We had a bag of pork scratchings that had a warning on the packet, 'Only recommended for people with strong healthy teeth. Although every care has been taken to remove bones, some may remain!!!'

The brewery tap of Batham's Brewery called the Vine but known as the 'Bull and Bladder'.

After a few pints we set of back to the boat but got enveloped in a blizzard and ended up looking like snowmen as we staggered into the Intu Merryhill Centre. We warmed up as Helen had another look around before setting off again. No sooner had we got outside than we got struck by a snow storm again. Once back at the boat there have been intermittent hail and snow storms with some lightening.