shopping, supping and sailing.

It is very quiet on this berth down Oozells Loop and we slept well. But once we were up we set off for the Jewelry Quarter. Helen had a ring to alter and some stones to have set. The Jewelry Quarter is a nice area with lots of little Victorian factories, some still working, some altered to offices and shops and some changed into apartments. A few more apartments and I reckon the whole place will be a lovely place to live right near the city centre.

This is the pediment on a factory called the Victoria Works. You don't often see this cameo of her. 

There are many buildings like this in the area.

Beautiful tile work on the Queens Arms in Hockley

The Jewelry Quarter is in Hockley and the Chamberlain Memorial Clock is in the centre of the crossroads. It was erected in 1903 and is a cast iron tower that was erected to commemorate local politician Joseph Chamberlain's visit to South Africa after the Boer war in 1902/03. It was clockwork but now is electric and also chimes. It is quite unusual as it was unveiled whilst he was still alive.

Other buildings in Birmingham city centre seem to have taken over from the Rotunda but it was very dramatic when it was first built in 1965. They wanted to knock it down at one time, to build the new Bull Ring Centre.

The mirrored exterior of New Street Station is very striking and the interior of Grand Central is also 100% better than what was there before as it opens up the space rather than feeling caged in.

After doing a little food shopping I left Helen to carry it back to the boat and give her an hour to browse the shops on her own. Once we met up we headed over to the Mail Box and Cube areas.

Our objective was the Craven Arms that had been recommended to us by blog reader Sam. It was worth the walk as it was a nice find with a good range of beers on as well as the range of Black Country Brewery. They only had ready made sandwiches and the only bad thing I could say about it was that there was music playing, and it was just a tad too loud.

We walked back to Old Turn Junction via the canal and so passed Gas Street Basin and Worcester Bar. It looks a lot different to when I saw it in the late 1960's.

We set off as soon as we got back. Helen stayed in to do some baking. I would never argue with that!

This is the toll island just past Winson Green Junction. You can clearly see the gap in the centre of the island where boats were taken for guaging to check what tolls were required to be charged. There are so many loops and arms around that the toll islands are many to catch the boats as they pass on even short journeys.

Looking back to Galton Tunnel and Galton Bridge spanning the New Main Line. We are just about under the rail bridge that has a station on it.

A couple of hours later the weather was getting blacker and blacker and as I was freezing by now as the wind was in my face. I made it as far as Dudley Port Junction and turned into the Netherton Branch and moored just round the corner. No sooner had I got moored up than the hail came down. very satisfying to be inside with hands wrapped round a mug of tea with the hail rattling on the roof. A good day was had by all.

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.