Windmill End to Merry Hill

Fun filled day. We were awoken by the noisiest dawn chorus! We waited for the drizzle to abate as we weren't going far, and we didn't have to wait too long. We passed Ann a volunteer who knows us, with her colleagues cleaning up rubbish at Primrose Bridge. As I went through the bridge hole I picked up a blade-full, so we pulled in around the corner and I cleared it all and took the rubbish back to Ann. We stopped briefly above Blowers Green lock to take on water, empty the toilet and dispose of rubbish. Got chatting to one of the CRT staff clearing the water of rubbish, and he knew of Pisces, as her used to be down in London. We had a short chat until a boat wanted to come up the lock. 

Now moored at the embankment, Merry Hill, and we have had a brief walk around the centre.

Keith.

Neptune Wharf Tipton to Windmill End Junction

The intention this morning was to go to the Black Country Living Museum and wind and fill the water tank and empty the toilet cassette. We set off to wind at Factory Junction in the fog, which disappeared by the time we got to Tipton Junction and turned to go up to the Museum.  Unfortunately when we go there, there were boats moored blocking the winding hole and water point so we moored up just before the Museum. We had lunch then went to do a food shop at Aldi. Upon returning, the situation within the Museum hadn't changed so I decided to reverse back to Tipton junction, and we set off for Windmill End.

Having gone down Brades locks on the Gower Arm, Jo made a hot cup of coffee. Having turned onto the New Main Line at Albion junction Jo took a sip of coffee and her glasses fogged up, I thought we had lost the fog in the morning.

Now moored at Windmill End.

Keith.

BCNS Spring Cruise to Bumble Hole, Windmill End and Back.

This morning we took on-board our designated passengers for the day and set off for Windmill End.

Despite it raining when we got up and when we set off, it soon stopped and turned out to be and lovely day.

Moored up for lunch at Windmill End.

Joanna and her Joey setting off to return back to Tipton.

This is some friends of a friend, who now we know each other we are friends as well.

We returned to moor back at Nelsons Wharf, Tipton.

 We then walked up the road to Mad O'Rourkes Pie Factory where we all enjoyed a meal out together.

Keith.

The Arena Birmingham to Neptune Wharf, Tipton

Sunny day and some warmth for our run today.

Now moored at Neptune Wharf, Tipton, ready for the BCN Society Spring Cruise tomorrow.

Keith.

Black Country Living Museum to The Arena Birmingham

Now back in Birmingham again.

Keith.

The Arena Birmingham to Black Country Living Museum

Misty start to the day as we headed back to the Black Country Living Museum.

New towpaths being laid alongside the New Main Line.

Moored at the Black Country Living Museum, first job, I joined the queue for fish & chips for lunch.

After lunch we wandered up to Racecourse Colliery, which has reopened today where the Highley Colliery Brass Band were playing.

There was a group of girls being made to carry the coal from one pile to the next, 1d a day for 12 hours work. They should think themselves lucky, kids did 16 hours a day on the canal boats.

Charlie the horse was demonstrating towing a coal hopper full of coal, until it derailed at the point.

Soon back on tracks.

Turning the hopper wagon on the turntable.

The tram was running again today.

Dan the horse was on wagon duties.

The single deck bus was also busy.

Keith.

Black Country Living Museum to The Arena Birmingham

Cracking mornings run into Birmingham City. They are still working on the M5 flyover.

Approaching Smethwick locks.

Had a slight problem with the top lock at Smethwick, having gone down through the lock we could not shut the gate behind us, quick call to C&RT to sort it out.

Approaching Sheepcote Street Bridge.

Now moored at Sheepcote Street Bridge.

Keith.

A Second Lovely at the Black Country Living Museum.

Keith.

Birmingham City to Black Country Living Museum

Things were going so well. until we got to Rylands Aqueduct on the Birmingham new line, Where there was a notice informing us the canal ahead was closed. Would have been more useful if the notice was at the Netherton Tunnel Branch junction so we didn't have to reverse back to it. Winded and diverted by the Gower Branch, made a nice change though.

Approaching  the bottom Brades lock on the Gower branch.

Entering the staircase pair.

 

Now moored up in the Black Country Living Museum for the weekend and looking forward to seeing all our friends who work here.

Keith.

Lapworth Top Lock to the Arena Birmingham

Disster struck this morning! We took on 200 litres of diesel and ended up with 30 litres in the bilges!!

We stopped and fixed the problem before carrying on with our journey.

Somewhere in the bottom of the Stratford Canal in this photo is my 1st wedding ring.

King's Norton stop lock.

Entering Birmingham.

Now moored outside the Arena Birmingham.

Keith.