Autumn Cruise: Day 21

We knew we had a few miles and three locks to do to get into Birmingham, and we thought we’d probably get wet doing them.  It rained all yesterday evening, on and off through the night, and early this morning.  But it wasn’t actually raining while we had breakfast, so we set off.  At which point it started again.  We went through Tipton Junction and over the aqueduct over the Netherton Branch.  The plan had been that if it wasn’t raining too much when we got to Brades Hall Junction, we’d turn off and go down the Brades Locks.  It had stopped, so we made the turn.

The top two locks are a staircase pair — the only staircase on the BCN, but the sixth we’ve done this trip.  Between the staircase and the third lock the canal was covered in flowers.  We suspect the nearby temple might have something to do with it.

At the end of the Gower Branch we turned right onto the New Main Line.  The route takes you under the M5 and the Stewart Aqueduct carrying the Old Main Line.  Then there’s Smethwick Pumping Station.

I was enjoying the journey, so at Winson Green Junction we turned onto the Soho Loop.

We passed Winson Green Prison, then a long fishing match during which the rain returned, and finally a wall with some rather impressive graffiti.

We crossed the New Main Line and went round the Icknield Port Loop, where the first phase of a big new housing development is being built.

Arriving in central Birmingham we turned off round the Oozells Stree Loop, and slotted into a mooring.  This is our favourite place to stay n Birmingham, as the towpath is a dead end and it’s pretty quiet.  We walked into town, finding that the square outside the library now has new fountains, and there are massive roadworks where the new tram tracks are being laid.

On the canal front, CRT has made the most of the prime location to display its new branding in prominent locations.

Since we got back to the boat, it has been raining and blowing a gale.  We’re expecting visitors for dinner this evening.

10 miles, 3 locks.  (213 miles, 216 locks)