We had a very foggy start to the morning.
Great Haywood junction!
But the sun soon broke through and we arrived in Stone to glorious sunshine. Now moored opposite Roger Fuller’s Boatyard, Hadar’s birthplace. Already seen quite a few of our friends here.
Keith.
Now moored below Great Haywood lock. We took a walk into the Shugborough Estate to see how the walled garden is coming along, but when we got to it, it was closed. Tuesdays they are closed. We will have to try again on our return journey. Dawne and Stuart caught us up and we had coffee and a chat with them.
Keith.
Today we set off for Rugeley, at Fradley junction we met up with Dawne and Stuart and Nigel for a quick chat as we passed through.
We moored up temporarily at Bridge No.66 to go food shopping at the new Tesco's, which has been built since we last stopped here.
Bridge No.66 has been pedestrianized through to Tesco's.
As there was a large fuel spillage on the canal at the visitor moorings we moved on to Bridge No.67, initially mooring before the bridge, but moved to the other side when a large machine started up next to where we were moored, and didn’t really want it going off during the night!
Keith.
Nuneaton & Brighton stopped for tea, cakes and biscuits whilst we we moored outside Kings Orchard Marina, before continuing their journey south.
Keith.
A morning of on and off drizzle.
The obligatory photo of Drayton Manor footbridge.
We are now moored outside the new King’s Orchard Marina, on the Coventry Canal, just south of Streethay Wharf.
The last time we moored here they had just started to fill the marina with water, but had to stop due to the water shortage at the time.
Keith.
We are now moored at Bodymoor Heath, between Curdworth locks 10 and 11.
After lunch we took a short walk around part of the Kingsbury Water Park.
Oystercatcher.
A pair of swans having a rest.
A Great Crested Grebe, one of a pair nesting very close to one of the viewing platforms.
Keith.
A good journey today down through Farmer’s Bridge locks (13), Aston locks (11), and Minworth locks (3). Only the last of the 27 locks was with us so it was hard going.
Farmer’s Bridge top lock of 13 locks.
Aston Junction and the top lock of the Aston flight of 11 locks.
Spaghetti Junction on the M6 above Salford junction. last time I passed through in 1971 Spaghetti junction was under construction!
We have found a nice spot to moor, near Wiggins Hill Bridge in Minworth, as much as we like visiting Birmingham by boat, it is nice to be aback out in the countryside again.
Keith.
Moored back in Birmingham City Centre at Sheepcote Street Bridge, opposite the Barclaycard Arena. We went into the city for another Chinese Buffet at the Big Wok, followed by some food shopping at the Caxton Tesco Metro, then 2 new wireless mice from Maplin. I dropped mine in the dog and cats water bowl the other day, after which it didn’t work. I bought 2 new ones so we have a spare, as the spare wired one we had also didn’t work.
Keith.
We spent most of the day in the Black Country Living Museum. We enjoyed the fish & chips which are the best! Once we had seen everything we moved to behind the Neptune Health Park in Tipton.
Keith.
A pleasant cruise from Hawne Basin to the Black Country Museum.
Middle Factory lock.
Moored at the Black Country Museum.
The rather impressive new Dudley Canal & Tunnel Trust visitor centre and Gongoozler restaurant.
Keith.
This morning Jo and I took a walk into Halesowen town centre.
It was very quiet being Easter Monday.
Keith.
This morning Jo and I took walk along the line of the derelict section of the Dudley No.2 Canal, now referred to as the Lapal Canal, and in the Leasowes alongside the restored but unconnected section.
Looking from the land bar across the abandoned but restored section of the canal towards what is Hawne Basin the other side of the road bridge and industrial estate.
The other direction towards Lapel tunnel.
Miniature railway alongside the canal towpath, which looks like it hasn’t seen use in many years.
One of the lakes in the Leasowes as seen from the towpath.
The end of the restored section of the canal within the Leasowes.
The next section of the canal is not filled in but overgrown and empty of water.
From this point the canal is filled in, and behind where I was standing to take the photo disappears between a housing estate and an industrial estate. This is as far as we walked. We returned to the Leasowes and walked around the lake we saw from the towpath.
Keith
Set off this morning to immediately suspect there was something on the prop, and there was, but soon got it cleared.
Inside Netherton Tunnel. Having passed through Netherton tunnel to Windmill End, we turned left onto the Dudley No.2 Canal, new waters for us as we have never done this section before.
We had to wait for 4 boats to exit Gosty Hill tunnel before we could go in. One of the boats was “Colehurst” with Brian and Brenda on-board, whom we know very well.
The northern portal of the very narrow and sometimes low Gosty Hill Tunnel.
Approaching the first low bit.
In the low section.
Entering the next bit which is higher.
Looking back at the first low bit.
The high bit.
The next low bit.
And exiting.
Now moored in Hawne Basin which is at the present terminus of the Dudley No.2 Canal. It is run by the Coombeswood Trust.
Keith.
This morning we took a short cruise to the Soho Loop and Icknield Port Loop junction, winded there and headed back to the city centre.
Some work is being carried on both entrance bridges to the Soho Loop.
Keith.
