Friday 22 September 2017

North West Passage: Day 28

Today's journey ended up being a bit longer than planned. We set off about 8.15 in bright sunshine, so bright that I quite often couldn't really see where I was going. It did mean there were some nice light effects under the bridges.

We were travelling along the Old Main Line, as it's a while since we've done this route and it's generally more interesting that the New Main Line. We crossed the aqueduct over the Netherton Branch and then Brades Hall Junction, where three locks go down to the New Main Line level. Soon the canal is joined by the M5 high above. They're doing work on the underside of the motorway, and there's more scaffolding that you've ever seen before. It goes on for miles.

The Old Main Line crossed the New on the Stewart's Aqueduct, with the motorway pillars in the canal below.

We passed the Spon Lane Locks, another route down tonthe Birmingham Level -- and I mused that it's the only set of locks between the two lines that we've never done. Just before Smethwick Locks, the Engine Arm goes off over an aqueduct.

There was a boat coming up the top Smethwick Lock, so Adrian went off to help. The little old office there has been burned down again.

It turned out that the bottom gate of the lock wouldn't shut properly. The boat had been there for so,e time poking about with a boat hook and a keb, to see if there was something on the cill.

After a while, Adrian phoned CRT who said they'd be out within an hour. Not knowing what the problem was, and as other routes were available, we decided not to wait. We turned around, and went back to Spon Lane Locks. Three locks go down to the Birmingham level, the first one is virtually under the M5 but the final one feels almost countrified.

After the locks, we needed to turn 180 degrees onto the New Main Line.

Now we were heading in the right direction again, just 20ft lower. Soon we were passing under Stewart Aqueduct, more than two hours after we'd crossed over it.

We also passed the Smethwick Pumping Station, which we'd also passed on the upper level. Here it is from both levels.

Then it was under the Engine Arm Aqueduct.

We were now getting close to central Birmingham. We'd discovered that there's a floating market this weekend, so most of the central moorings are suspended in favour of trading boats. We didn't really want to stop too far out, so took a chance and went round the Oozells St Loop -- and our luck was in, as there was one space left. We'd arrived at least an hour and a half later than anticipated, and having travelled an extra four miles.

After lunch on hoard, we headed out for a walk. Since we were here two years ago the dreadful Paradise shoppimg centre and old Central Library has been demolished. Grand Central (above New St Station) also wasn't quite open then so we went for a look around. There's an arts festival on in Birmingham this weekend, and there was an orchestra performing.

Tonight, as part of the Birmingham Weekender, we've booked to hear the Multi-Storey Orchestra perform Beethoven's Fifth in the car park of the Barclaycard Arena.

12 miles, 3 locks. (341 miles, 198 locks)

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