Our final slog, for a while at least

Today we left our mooring and then went through Diglis basing in Worcester here there are two big locks which were a struggle to open.

After this we entered the Severn river so we donned our life jackets and then entered a massive lock which fortunately was operated by a lock keeper . We then followed the river passed few yatch clubs with there shiny cruisers moored up, we then arrived at Upton and turned into the marina, gave the boat a pump out and then moored up in our berth that will be our home for the next month at least.

A big lock and a bit scary

As a bonus Upton was hostingb a jazz festival this weekend and the town was very lively so we went out for a few drinks and something to eat but as we were still tired we went back to the boat about 21.00 hrs and watched the Rolling Stones at Glastonbury on the telly and off to bed again.

Shiny Cruisers

 

And on we go

Today we left Hanbury and set off for Worcester , more locks and more locks, not really much to write about as we are just operatin locks again, we did pass Worcester warrior rugby ground , and moored up outside of the commandery a old house that has links to the civil war. We had a couple of beers in he Kings head pub, also another customer ordered a fish finger sandwich which looked bloody lovely but we went back to the boat for dinner Scampi, salad and chips which was just as nice and then off to bed. See you tomorrow.

Denies operating a lock

 

Worcester in the distance

 

Rod rage

Filled up with water then set off early as today we knew that we had a few locks to work, all I can tell you today is open a lock, fill up a lock and then leave a lock repeated about 35 times so tonight we are both knackered .

Besides the lock our bit of excitement is when we approached Stoke Prior, as we approached the visitor mooring there was two anglers fishing , so not wanting to disturb then I asked one of them if this was the only mooring or was there more around the bend, he then got arsey and started effing and blinding saying that I nearly broke his rod, so I was not having any of this so put the boat in reverse and got off and started arguing with him pointing out that this was a mooring and also pointing out that their was signs all around saying no fishing, he soon went a bit quiet and then started packing up his equipment.

We decided to carry on and on the way as we passed under a bridge this angle started throwing stones though he knew that I was out of his range to get off the boat and back to him , hence the title Rod Rage.

We carried on and moored up knackered and tired at Hanbury wharf.see you tomorrow

First of many

 

Leaving the city

When we got up I went into the town to buy a pair of daps or as people call them in this area pumps or to anyone else trainers, we also topped up with a few essentials from the handy Tesco extra which is situated in the Basin. We then set off down the Worcester and Birmingham Canal through the 105 yds Edgbaston Tunnel and then passing the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on the right and The University of Birmingham on the left.

Edgbaston tunnel

We then passed the chocolate producing factory Cadburys or Kraft which is it proper name here they produce every ones favourites treats.

We then came to a watering point and decided to get some water and as we were mooring up ai heard a woman shouting , which I ignored only to find it was my sister Kathryn , what a nice surprise, she stayed for a cup of coffe and a chat and we arranged to meet up later.

We then carried on and then we entered Wast hill tunnel this is one of the longest tunnels in Britain at 2726 yards long, once canal workers use to leg the barges through using their feet on the sides to power them through, this then was replaced by steam tugs and later diesel tugs. The old iron brackets and insulators can still been seen , these were used to carry the telegraph wires. And as Denise and I found out a lot of drips fall from the tunnel ceiling .

A sign explains Wast Hill Tunnel

The beginning of the tunnel

Inside

Looking back to the start of the tunnel

We then carried on and moored up just by the A441 road and a pub cal the hopwood house where. We are going to have a meal with Kath my sister and her grandson Josh tonight.

Only Kath turned up as Josh was in his kickboxing club so we had dinner in the pub and then went to our nieces house where we saw Matt and Victoria and then Josh turned up,and we went back to the boat where Victoria and Matt picked up Ben our other great nephew from his football practise joined us. They all loved the boat and it was great to catch up with them

Kathryn in the boat

Kath and Denise

Josh who loved the boat and didn't want to go home

 

Gas Street Birmingham

What a difference it was staying in the heart of a city hearing hustle and bustle around us. It wasn't too rowdy. We were shattered following our jeorney through all the locks we went through. Some of the gates were so heavy Steve had to help me either to pull or push them. Luck was on our side with most of the locks being empty. We soon got into a pattern as I was closing the gates and paddles of the lock were about to leave, Steve went to the next lock to open the gates to drive straight in. This morning we were aching and thankfully no locks to go through today. We turned into the Worcester and Birmingham Canal. Stopped briefly at Kings Norton to take on more water just as we arrived my sister in law Kath arrived. Steve had texed her to let her know we were passing near by her place. She stopped for a cupper before we moved on to Hop wood. We went through West Hill tunnel. What an experience, it was quite spooky. I took a photo of Steve. I pointed the camera at him and hoped for the best because I could not see his face as it was so dark in that tunnel. I guess it took us a good 10 minutes to get through. Anyway, quiet day today, before tackling the locks as we head towards Upton on Severn.

To Gas Street Basin

Up early left our over night mooring which was outside of an area call Minworth it wasn't long before our first of twenty seven locks approached

Minworth in the distance

Lock 1 done only another 26

We continued to Salford junction here we did a sharp left turn and on to the Worcester and Birmingham canal here the canal takes on amuch more industrial feel

Here also starts the Aston locks a flight of 11 locks as it was all of the locks were with us but still hard work,

Aston lock number 1

Once we completed this flight we had a little rest bite before the next flight of 13 locks appear these are called the Farners Bridge locks what's unique about these are that they are under buildings in the middle of Brum.

Soon all of the locks were completed and we then turned into gas street basin and found a mooring space and then went for a well deserved beer.Gas street basin has so changed from the last time we were here over 30 yrs ago, it is now a cosmopolitan area of bars and classy restaurants, although we didn't eat out as we had lamb chops already defrosting, which when we cooked them and ate them were very nice.

Gas Street Basin

 

 

Hopefully we are going to have a quiet night even though I doubt if Denise , bless her as she worked really hard today will need rocking. See you tomorrow.

Heading to Birmingham

Today we were up early and left Hopwas and headed to Birmingham, first of all we passed Fazeley junction where the Birmingham and Fazeley meets the Coventry canal, here we took on some water and turned on to Birmingham canal.

Almost immediately the canal changed into an urban canal

We passed Drayton Bassett which is a little village, one unusual feature is this charming unexpected Gothic- style footbridge which spans the canal which has twin battlements and is unique.

We carried on to a village called Curdsworth the canal consist of 11 locks with a small flight of 5 locks in the middle, we also went under the motorway M6 where drivers are oblivious to our journey. We then moored up outside of Minworth to regain our energy for a hard day tomorrow as we or should I say Denise has 27 locks to operate tomorrow through the middle of Birmingham.went through our first tunnel today "Curdsworth tunnel " 57 yds long, see you tomorrow .