Black Country Living Museum to Birmingham, 8.7 miles 3 locks 1 tunnel

At the end of a great gathering weekend at the Black Country Living Museum yesterday, we ran our generator to top up the batteries. However after half an hour it died and will not restart. It tries to turn over but fails. 

So this morning we started to head back to home.

In Factory top lock.

Leaving Factory bottom lock.

Bromford junction.

M5 and Wolverhampton level crossings.

Galton tunnel.

Engine arm aqueduct.

Smethwick junction.

Approaching Birmingham.

Approaching Sheepcote Street bridge.

Now moored opposite The Arena, Birmingham. 

Keith.

Tipton to Black Country Museum, 0.5 miles no locks

We had a great day Saturday at the festival, but Sunday was damp and the crowds stayed away. So did some of the traders, so we set up a tea party in the shelter of an abandoned gazebo.

At 4.00pm some of us set off for the Black Country Museum, the others wanting to get into the museum arm whilst the lift bridge was open. We are now moored up outside.

Keith.

Windmill End to Tipton, 10.3 miles, 3 locks, 3 tunnels

We set off on my Birthday along the Dudley No.2 canal to Hawne Basin, entering Gosty Hill tunnel.

Entering Hawne Basin where we topped up with diesel.

Leaving Hawne Basin.

Gosty Hill tunnel again.

Windmill End junction.

Netherton tunnel

Now moored alongside Leo ready for the Tipton Canal & Community Festival.

Keith.

Curdworth Top Lock to Windmill End, Netherton, 19.5 miles, 24 locks, 2 tunnels, 10hrs 40mins.

It's been a long day, so only a brief posting tonight. Continued up the B&F to Salford junction, then we did the entire Tame Valley canal, so we have now done the whole of the BCN. Then onto the Walsall canal, Wednesbury Old canal, new main line, and finally Netherton branch. Now moored at Windmill End, Netherton. 

Keith.

Alvecote Marina to Curdworth Top Lock, 9.5 miles, 13 locks

This morning we left Alvecote Marina after a great weekend with friends.

Crossing the River Tame.

Turning into the Birmingham & Fazeley canal at Fazeley junction.

Drayton swing and foot bridges.

Leaving Curdworth bottom lock.

Approaching Curdworth top lock.

Now moored just above Curdworth top lock.

Keith.

Alvecote to Glascote to Alvecote Marina, 4.2 miles no locks

Well that was a trip and a half!

We set off this morning to Glascote, winded at the winding hole, moored up and walked to Aldi for a food shop.

Everything fine so far, we returned to Hadar, and set off back to Alvecote, but we didn't get far.

We had to stop as the ignition light was on.

The starter alternator fan-belt had died.

Not a great problem as we carry spares of all our fan-belts.

But did have to take the engine water cooling pump off, and loosen the domestic alternator to remove their fan-belts to be able to fit the new starter one!

Soon sorted and off again.

Now moored in Alvecote Marina for the weekend.

Keith.

Quieter mooring!

This morning we temporarily breasted up alongside Brighton, it was a tad noisy the other side of the bridge hole as the railway line is very close to the canal!

This afternoon we moved again to the other end of Alvecote Marina when the fishermen had gone, should be a bot quieter here.

Keith.

Hawkesbury Junction to Samuel Barlow, Alvecote Marina, 16.6 miles, 11 locks, 8hrs 35mins

Another long day today, but great weather-wise. It was a slog down the Atherstone locks, due to a boat being bow hauled in front of us, took us 3 hrs to do the flight!

Now moored by the bridge before the Alvecote Marina.

Keith.

Braunston Top Lock to Hawkesbury Junction, 23.9 miles, 10 locks, 1 tunnel, 10 hours 15 mins.

Another chilly start to the day today.

Braunston locks.

An audience.

That bubble effect!

Hillmorton locks, 3 of them were broken.

Newbold tunnel.

Sutton's stop lock.

Now moored at the end of the visitor moorings on the Coventry canal at Hawkesbury junction.

Keith.

Stoke Bruerne to Braunston Top Lock, 17.7 miles, 7 locks 2 tunnels

Chilly weather today.
Approaching Blisworth tunnel.

Exiting Blisworth tunnel.

The new road bridge at Weedon Bec.

We met up with Tim on Corolla at the bottom lock of the Buckby flight, so we breasted the boats up and I brought both up together.

Top lock of the Buckby locks where we parted company with Tim who was heading to Crick.

Norton junction.

Approaching Braunston tunnel.

Now moored above top lock Braunston locks.

Keith.

Bridge No.42 to Stoke Bruerne, 4.6 miles no locks

Another sunny morning, Blisworth Tunnel Boats.

Approaching Blisworth tunnel, 6 years since we last past through here.

We are now moored by the winding hole south of Blisworth tunnel ready for the Village at War weekend.

Keith.