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.

Rowington to Lapworth top lock.

Ice on the canal when we set off this morning, lovely sunshine though.

Even some lying snow still around alongside the Lapworth locks.

Now moored below Lapworth top lock.

Keith.

Saltisford Arm, to the embankment Above Rowington.

This morning we set off on our Spring/Summer cruise. We paired up with our friends Ray and Caroline on "Tranquil Daze".

I breasted the two boats together and took them both up the Hatton flight.

We stopped in lock 33 for a tea/coffee and cake break as we were rapidly catching the boat in front of us. 

We stopped briefly above the top lock and Caroline served us all with home made soup and bread, very yummy. 

We then carried on to the embankment above Rowington where we have all moored for the night.

Keith.

Middle Lock Hatton Flight to Saltisford Arm.

Apart from the snow, there is now a lot of water coming down the Hatton flight, made life interesting! Safely back on our mooring now.

Towpath flooding in places, at least we have deep water!

Keith.

Lapworth Top Lock to Wharf Between Lock 36 & 37 on the Hatton Locks

18 of the Lapworth locks this morning and 10 of the Hatton flight this afternoon.

Now moored between lock 36 and 37, just below the main flight.

Keith.

Above Lapworth Top Lock to Below Lapworth Top Lock.

This morning we moved below Lapworth top lock to outside Jackie's cottage.

Then we loaded another 2⅔ tonnes of bricks into the hold for ballast.

Then moved into the middle of the pound to moor up for Christmas.

Not far to walk for Christmas Dinner, just behind Hadar’s stern.

Keith.

The Boot Inn to Lapworth Top Lock

Finished the Lapworth Flight this morning.

First we met historic Grand Union narrowboat Star at the short pound with the tightish bend! I managed to squeeze past OK  

Then we met historic Grand Union narrowboat Corolla at the next pound which is a bit longer and not so tight a bend.

All passed without too much problem. Once through the top lock, I carried on, leaving Jo at the lift bridge, to the winding hole just before Swallow Cruisers, winded, and returned to pick up Jo and we returned and moored up just above the top lock, ready to move below the lock Saturday Morning to load some more bricks for ballast.  

Keith.

Tom O’The Wood to The Boot Inn, Lapworth

Short run this morning, 6 locks up the North Stratford Canal.

Now moored on the visitor moorings near The Boot Inn, Lapworth, where we have just had a superb lunch.

Keith.

Saltisford Arm to Tom O’The Wood, Rowington

Good run up the Hatton locks this morning, 2¾ hours in company with nb Dragonfly and with much appreciated help from our friends Nigel and Paul who did a sterling job for us.

A couple of locks up the flight.

Nearly at the top.

Now moored at Tom O'The Wood, Rowington.

Keith.