Trip boat.

We were expecting visitors late this morning and they arrived in time for a cup of tea and cake. We were soon chatting away and I thought as the heavy shower had stopped we should go for a trip. We soon were underway and turning into the Oozells Loop to show them the back doors of Birmingham. Thery hadn't even seen this side of the city despite living in Birmingham for many many years.

We popped out of the Oozells Loop and were soon entering the Icknield Port Loop. They are overhauling the entrance bridge so narrowing but made it with no problems. Just inside you could have thought we were in the upper reaches of a river. This soon gives way to a more industrial landscape. The Icknield Island is planned to be a complete village at some stage.

We soon were past the Rotton Park Reservoir dam and C&RT base before popping out and across the main line again and straight on to the Soho Loop. Stephen was then ready to have a go on the helm and was soon getting the hang of it even round some of the tight'ish bends of the loop.

Looking back to the city centre, where we had just left, from the Soho Loop.

Winson Green Prison is situated on the Loop.

We stopped for lunch opposite the Fiddle and Bone pub and had more chat and a catch up in the warm and dry. Later we decided to have a trip out to the south through Brindley Place.

Approaching Broad Street bridge. Above is visible the Indian restaurant that we went to at the weekend.

Approaching Worcester Bar and site of stop lock. When the Worcester and Birmingham Canal was built to Birmingham in 1815 the Birmingham Canal Navigation Co. were very suspicious and declined the joining of the two system. Instead a 'bar' was constructed and through cargoes had to be transhipped from one side to the other. Eventually sense prevailed and a stop lock was built to project the waters and through traffic could travel unhindered.

Looking back to Gas Street Basin. The attention has moved north to Brindley Place but maybe if the original warehouse etc hadn't been demolished it may have been 'the' place to be.

At the Mail Box we turned hard a starboard and had a close up of The Cube. This is new canal for us, at least on 'Holderness' and we will explore further tomorrow.

We later moored just astern of this boat on an aqueduct over a road. We should hopefully get plenty of sun on the panels here.

It was great to meet Marva at long last and to Stephen recovering so well from his illness. I am also sporting my hairy chin as when we left home I neglected to bring the charger cable for my razor. Just another couple of weeks before I get home and can avail myself of a shave again. Not sure whether Helen will be please or not.