Our plan was to get to the top of the Wolverhampton flight and see how it went from there. Well we made good time and did 12 miles in under 4 hours. The sun was still shining and to be honest the journey hadn't been full of beauty since leaving the city centre, so we thought we'd go for it.
A boat was coming out of the top lock so we thought that life would be easy if all of them were in our favour. Lock 2 was a disappointment - empty - as was Lock 3 through to lock 15! John was looking decidedly haggard when, joy of joys - A BOAT - we went into 16 with a song in our heart and when 17 and 18 were also ready and waiting for us our happiness knew no bounds. Then .....don't ask me how it happened but 19 - 21 were all empty again. We left the Birmingham Canal Navigation feeling totally shattered and turned right at Aldersley Junction and have managed to find a mooring just before the Autherley Junction where we are turning into tomorrow - onto the Shroppie for some rest and relaxation! John has checked that once we get through the stop lock there are no more locks for miles!!!!!
We don't know what it does but it was one of the few buildings coming out of Birmingham that was still being used - everything else had a distinct air of desolation about it.
We followed what is known as the New Line out of Birmingham in a NW direction, and here is the junction to the Old Line which twists and turns a lot more and has some locks, we went for speed (as much as you can on a canal at least!)
Paddy likes to keep checking that we are going in the right direction!
This is an aquaduct that carries what is called the Engine Arm of the Old Line across our canal! There are moorings down there and at one time we thought we might stay there, until we found the lovely ones in the City Centre.
In my never ending quest to bring you views of places you are unlikely to see, here is the M5 from the canal. It's just north of J2. I don't know how many times we must have driven across here and not only does it cross this canal but it actually runs parallel to both the old and the new lines for a short distance! There's your little known fact for today.
Here's a not so lovely lock - the alge / moss / whatever is coming off in shreds. OK it looks like velvet but we all know it's not and without putting not to fine a point on it - it smells! UGH.
No idea what it is but it was just before getting to the top of the Wolverhampton flight! Gives a general idea of the environs.
For some reason I can't get any more pictures on. No idea why.
Well anyway - we did just over 8 hours, travelled 16 miles and went through 24 locks today. Not bad for a pair of old uns! Mind you we feel a lot older now than we did at the start of the day!
In case you're wondering we had a lovely meal last night, and the city centre looked even better after dark - all fairy lights and twinkling. Must be wonderful at Christmas, which according to my Iphone ap is only 102 days away!!
Tomorrow we shall be on the Shroppie - heaven!
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