Rising to the heights.

We set off just after 1000 following a very quiet night. We have always had a undisturbed stay here by Aston University. We had just been passed by a hire boat with 5 or 6 men of a certain age so we were hoping they had come down the Farmer's Bridge flight.

This mooring spot almost by Aston Junction seems to have been cleaned up and would make a good spot. Previously it looked as though it had been frequented by drinkers but now may make a good overnighter.

I always like this first view  of the Telcom Tower and Barker Bridge (1842) and it means that we are near to the first lock.

And here we are at the first lock of the thirteen and our rise to the heights of Birmingham..

This section of the flight is always like a wind tunnel in the sun or rain. Here we are just about to go up and under!! We did have the locks our way but most of them had to be drained somewhat each time.

These words on the lock beam could not be truer. We were frequently watched by folk out on their Sunday stroll. Mainly visitors to the city though.

I thought this poor bird was a plastic bag until we were leaving the lock. I wonder where it came from? Maybe out of as window of flats by the lock. I had picked up and needle by lock 2 and put it in a plastic bottle that was part of the haul picked up. Actually the flight was pretty clean, even after a Saturday night. Other than for somebody having had a dump on the lock side that is!!

Not far from the top now and looking back at the Islington Place area.

We  stopped for water at the slow  tap by Cambrian Wharf but carried on to moor at the entrance to Oozells Loop. After lunch we went into town to fine a paper and to have a poke about.

You can't walk through past the old library now and this is why. It is like a war scene. The new buildings are different to the old brutalist building, but we will have to see if it is better.

Walking down New Street I enjoyed this view of the mirrored exterior of New Street Station.

My walking boots have had a parting of the ways of the sole from the uppers so after a look on line I went to have a look to see what was available in Brum. I found that Blacks were relocating and there was 30% so came away with some new Hi Tec walking shoes. What ever I buy in this line seems to only last a year, but then again I seem to have them on most of the time. We got the Sunday paper and some odds and sods before making our way back to the Prince of Wales, the pub just up from the Cambrian Wharf moorings as Sunday afternoon, 1630/1700, they have a band on. Today it was 'Restless Dog' and they played a good selection of Beatles, Stones etc.. We left to go back and have our Indian meal. More shopping planned for tomorrow as well as other stuff.

Half way to the top.

We pulled away just as another boat came into view astern. Our pontoon buddy of last night had left about 45 mins before us. It turns out that it was a good job we got ahead of them as they were still at the bottom lock when we were clearing the third lock.

This Saltley Cut of the Grand Union is not the most picturesque part of the canal system but it seems that C&RT are making a real effort as the lock areas are clean as a whistle and it certainly looks like the water is clearer too. It is a shame that surrounding businesses can't do their bit too.  These rail bridges make for dark passages.

Once starting up the Garrison Locks the footpaths are in good condition and the industry on the sides of the canal form canyons.

Even in the roughest environments nature puts on a great display of blossom. Helen brings 'Holderness' in.

Bordeley Junction. We had just popped out from under the bridge. To the right is the bottom lock of the Camp Hill Flight. This must be just about the most insalubrious junction on the system.

On the left is Fellows, Morton and Clayton's warehouse that is now the Bond and looks to have a lovely restaurant. The coloured buildings in the distance are buildings of Birmingham University. If you look carefully low down there is the old Curzon Street Station that is supposed to be the Birmingham terminus of the HS2.

Just after the Bond is the aqueduct over the River Rea.

We have just passed through the Warwick Bar and the stop locks can be seen where the two companies, the Birmingham and Fazeley and the Warwick and Birmingham Canal companies, met to protect their supply. It is good to see that efforts are being made to preserve the Banana warehouse. I hope they can find something useful for it.

After turning right, and not left, (we gave Typhoo Basin a miss this time), you are almost straight into Curzon Street Tunnel that is really just a big bridge with lots of rail tracks meeting above. It is always very dark until you get accustomed and as there is a bend I am always wary.

We were soon ascending the Ashted Locks which are now overlooked by buildings for Aston University. It was nice to see that cowslips were growing on the lock side.

After a bite to eat we went into town as we needed milk. We walked through Aston University Campus and they are celebrating 50 years this year. It seemed like there were many 'older' folk about so I was thinking that they are having a reunion weekend or something. It was a nice setting and very handy for town. 

We walked past the lovely building of the Law Courts.

We had a good look round the Rag Market and sorted things that we may come back for. It was then a quick visit to Primark, followed by M&S and Boots and B&M then a saunter back to the boat via a pint at the Sack of Spuds just by the Campus. We had a bit of bother getting back down to the canal as they seem to have blocked access from several of the bridges with new building work. Our mooring used to be closed in by a nursery on the tow path side, but that has been knocked down and a new College for High Speed Transport is to be built.

No sun but stars.

Although there was no sun when we got up this morning it was actually warmer, so not such a leap of faith to leave the duvet. We were soon off and at the first lock.

This was the cause of the delays yesterday. Behind the orange netting are two holes. The workmen said that there was a hole in the by-wash, so maybe they exposed a manhole or dug down the bank to find the hole.

This warehouse is by Lock 4 and must have been for canal use as the main door is right next to the canal.

We made it to the top of the Curdworth Locks. All the pounds were fairly low from Lock 7 to the top. The top lock was a 'new' one as it had to be rebuilt in a new place when the M6Toll road was built.

We were soon passing through Curdworth Tunnel.

We were soon getting our last view of the countryside as we then passed into the built up area. We were disappointed to find that the sanitary station at Minworth Locks was said to be out of order. It looked as though it had been refurbished and all seemed to be working but we weren't able to conduct our 'business' there. We just filled with water.

I love the light coming through the pillars in this 'tunnel' under a factory.

As you approach Salford Junction the M6 comes next to the canal. We managed to turn into the Saltley Cut without touching the sides.

The River Tame looks a little lost under the motorway and with the aqueduct carrying the canal. It must be okay as it feed all those lakes at Kingsbury Water Park.

Our objective was the pontoon at Starcity. When we arrived there was nobody there. We have since been joined by another boat. We decided to go and see if there was anything we fancied on at the pictures here. 'Eddie the Eagle' was just about to start so in we went. I didn't really expect much from it but found my self having to hole myself back from leaping from my seat when he jumped into space. The time flew past and it was a great movie. Such a feel good feeling and I hope he has made plenty of money out of it. Well worth going to see.

First locks cut short.

Once more we woke to a lovely day and following a peaceful night. We went off for a walk about 1000 and headed for Middleton Hall to the west of the canal. The route led us through some lovely wooded walks that had been prepared by the RSPB. It passed a rookery and a heronry. I was surprised how many people were out and about 'twitching'.

The Langley Brook runs through the woodland and into the Kingsbry Water Park on the other side of the canal, also administered by the RSPB. There was plenty of bluebells in the woods too.

Middleton hall is mentioned in the Domesday Book but the oldest building is from 1285. It has seen many famous people and the owner, Sir Francis Wiiloughby, was Knighted in his own Great Hall by Elizabeth I. As she had stayed for a week and her entourage had consumed 69 beef cattle, 128 sheep and 2000 chickens he perhaps deserved!

The Hall's stable block and courtyard is the next project for the team. The bricks are in place of the original wattle and daub infill. The the arch, in the courtyard, are several shops and a cafe. It would have been a shame not to have a coffee and teracake in the sun.

Despite being owned by several illustrious families over the years the final family moved there family seat elsewhere and rented the place out. It still housed eminent people with Francis Willughby and John Rae who wrote and published the first ornithological book. However in 1925 it was sold to Amey Roadstone who worked all the sand and gravel quarries around. The bought it for the land and the buildings were left to go to rack and ruin. In the 1970's ramblers stumbled across it and eventually it was made Grade II listed and a Trust was set up to restore it. It is all done by volunteers and they have done a great job with still more to do. It wasn't open on Thursdays but the walled gardens and Hall can be gone round and we will make the effort next time past.

We bought a pork pie and some unusual cheeses in the Courtyard and they filled up lunch when we got back to the boat. We set off at about 1330 to go up the Curdworth. I thought that 11 locks would be just about right to break Helen back into the routine. It didn't take us long to get back in the swing of things. All the locks were against us but we didn't think anything of it until after the Dog and Doublet pub when a fisherman told us the canal was blocked. There was a boat on the lock landing at No.7 and we moored up before the lock to go and explore. It seems that a by-wash culvert had developed a hole. The team were there and I was informed that they would be finished bu 1800 and then the pound below would need to be refilled.

This is the low pound that needs to be filled. It means that we can have a rest and do the locks in two bites and funnily enough it is only a short walk back to the pub! Another good day.

Wildflowers in the sun.

The sun was up and enticing us outward so after breakfast we went for a walk down to Hopwas Woods. I noticed that the MOD have put new signs up and flag poles to warn of the range when in use. I confess that it had become disused altogether. We crossed the Wood Bridge and went up the hill.

From the top of the hill we could look down into a valley and all ready the different greens are just about ready to burst forth.

The whole area is covered with this pole birches and other trees. That makes me think that the whole area was bare of trees about 20 years ago as they are all the same age. I wonder if it was to do with the gravel extraction or maybe a fire started from the firing range. The atmosphere is sort of Tolkeinesque in nature and, like John Wesley the founder of the Methodist's, he seems to have been everywhere for a fleeting period.

Sight of the canal from the wood.

The dappled sun through the trees lit up secluded patches of bluebells. Here is a nice mix of bluebells, wood anemones and celandine. It was a lovely walk.

On the way back to the boat the walk back along the towpath was pleasant with lots of boats on the move.

We set off with the intention of heading to Fazeley to get rid of the rubbish and fill up with water and do a little shopping. We were lucky that the Peel Wharf facilities were free as it is the only rubbish point. There is recycling there now. We were quickly finished and pulled over to the towpath side. We had lunch and then went to the Tesco Express for supplies. On the way we passed a barbers. We have forgotten the shears for Helen to give me my short back and sides so I popped in as Helen was getting embarrassed to be seen with me. £10 lighter and the best part of an hour later I was out and back to the boat.

The War Memorial in Fazeley is a little different and I like the fact that they are flying the Union flag there too.

We turned right at the junction and headed up the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal. We were soon passing the mill that was built for weaving of haberdashery and upholstery. We could be in Lancashire or Yorkshire!

We were soon through the iconic Drayton footbridge with swing bridge next to it. We were soon coming up the Tame Valley and the Kingsbury Water Park. There were loads of swans in the field next to the canal, so I assume that they are last years brood that haven't paired off, or reached maturity or something. Like kids hanging about on a street corner I suppose.

We stopped before the locks and will have a walk in the morning before setting off up the Curdworth Locks.

Off to a very good start.

We didn't have far to move this morning. I had phoned Streethay Wharf to see if somebody could check my battery wiring out and we arrived at 1000. There was a 100t crane ready to crane seven boats in and out. We were therefore directed to a free mooring. It turned out there was somebody having their batteries changed out, and after that they would get round to us. Tom had a quick look and a check to see what state the batteries and to see what was required. Later Ray came across and did the actual work. Whilst we were waiting I got a few little jobs done, such as fit a new hose to the bilge pump in the engine hole. I ran it a different way too as it was too easily stepped on and broken where it was. Ray ran a new cable from the isolation switch to the last battery and shortened up a couple of cables and checked the other connections etc. We decided that we would see what difference the new wiring would make to the charging and discharge rather than needlessly change the batteries. We got away by about 1500. It has been no hardship waiting as the weather has been lovely. helen was reading at the front of the bow.

We soon passed the entrance to our winter moorings and came up to Huddlesford Junction. The junction house is now the HQ of the Lichfield Cruising Club. The restoration of the Wyrley and Essington Canal to Ogley is steadily been achieved under the auspices of the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Trust. Once open it will make a nice extra route to avoid Birmingham and give better access to the BCN backwaters.

 Bridge 80 with bridge 79 just round the bend at Whittington. We have never stopped here, but we will make sure that we do on the way back.

The poly tunnels have been erected ready for the asparagus season at Fisherwick. It seems that every year there seems to be more, or we just notice more.

Almost not a cloud in the sky and very little wind to ruffle the water. I was in shirtsleeves. 

Once moored up we had a cup of tea and started getting a few more jobs done. The East Yorkshire flag was replaced. The old one has got a bit tatty and has definitely faded a lot.

I then fitted an inner clear perspex panel inside the side hatch to cut out the slight draft the comes through when the doors are closed. I used 2mm perspex and the A adhesive strip magnets all the way round the hatch. I then cut the B adhesive magnetic strip and attached it to the other magnet. I then took off the backing of the adhesive and stuck the perspex on to get it all matched up. It works really well cutting out the draft and more noise.

There was no wind so the reflections of the boat astern was good.

My next task was to lay another piece of carpet brought from home to fit round the stove to take all the accidental spills of embers or ashes and save the main carpet. It seemed to fit well. I am still acclimatising as I feel tired out. Tomorrow is set to be another great day so we will have a walk round Hopwas Woods before setting off around lunch time. It is good to be off and running, and I am hopeful that my battery worries may well be over. Touch wood!!!

At last.

Well we are back on the boat for our prolonged cruise and I must say it is nice to be here. It has been a very busy week at home. It was the Hull and East Yorkshire branch of CAMRA's Beer Festival and so last week was spent setting it up in our great venue of Holy Trinity Church in Hull and then Thursday onward's serving the great and good of the city with the real ale. We had 130 different beers between the gravity and hand pull bars, plus many ciders and bottled beers. I think folk are getting more educated in trying the beers. many less pint glasses and drinking pints all the time, and more drinking third's so that you can try more out. It also seemed to me that there were many more there that hadn't been beer drinkers but were willing to try it. It was perfect for the branch too as he beer ran out about 1500 on Saturday afternoon so no wastage.

Mean time I was trying to get all those little jobs done that need doing before leaving home. The partly finished DIY projects, gardening etc etc. Sunday was the third Sunday of the month and I run my history walks round Hedon and had a few takers. As the weather was good it was a pleasure to show folks about. However with the standing up and walking at the beer festival and then the two walks on Sunday my feet are a little sore!

We got everything out yesterday and then I packed the car this morning and went to pick up Bash, our son, who was going to bring the car back for us. We arrived in two hours and unloaded and after a bite to eat he was off again to be the traffic at the other end.

This time we have Macy cat and Sky the budgie with us, so with Helen and me we are getting to be a little zoo. I filled with water and got he ropes out etc etc a,d then went to pay for the electricity and the extra period of moorings we have had. I then decided that we would top up the fuel as it was only 54p domestic and I would be able to work out the consumption etc more easily for the coming months. It was quite breezy from the st'bd side so it was easy to just leave the pontoon and be blown down on to the fuel quay. When we left it was a mater of getting the stern out on a for's spring and reversing out before turning and making for the entrance.

On the boat moored next to us, 'Blue Moon' a mallard had made a nest and laid her eggs. I wondered what I would do if I had come to take the boat out for of 6/7 month cruise and this was on my bow! What a dilemma!! The eggs take 28 days to hatch so if you got there just as they were laid you could have a very long wait. What would you do?

Once clear of the entrance we turned right and moored up straight away. I had brought so plastic to fit in our shower and I wanted to fit it before our first shower in the morning as it had had several weeks to dry out. So after lighting the fire and one or two other jobs I got on with that. It was finished at about 2000 and so after unpacking and realising that Helen had packed clothes for me and I had also, so I have ended up with double what I need. It will all go back in June when we are back home.

Everything seems to be working fine and we will soon be turning in soon and I expect to sleep well.