Autumn Cruise: Day 22

We had a very nice evening last night, with Helen and Andy from the Jam Butty visiting us for dinner.  There was lots of boating chat and it was great to catch up with them.  Sunday night in Birmingham is pretty quiet too, so we slept well.  This morning was bright but much cooler than of late.  We set off just after 8, heading round the corner and through Gas Street Basin and Worcester Bar, the start of the Worcs and Birmingham Canal.

We stopped at the water point — well, just beyond the water point as there was a boat which had moored on it overnight — at Holiday Wharf.  We got a wash load going and while the tank filled I went to the little Tesco at the Mailbox for perishables.  It was around 9.15 when we set off again.  It was 2011 when we last came along here on Briar Rose, so a few things have changed.  Edgbaston Tunnel is now single way working, thanks to a widened tow path; I don’t begrudge the tow path users the extra space — it’s very busy with walkers, runners, and cyclists, and it’s not as though boaters are being hugely inconvenienced.

Last time, the road under the new aqueduct was just being built.  Now it’s not only busy, but surrounded by new buildings which rather block out the views of the university.

At King’s Norton Junction, we turned sharp left onto the North Stratford Canal. The Junction House, which was damaged by a fire, is enclosed in scaffolding and sheeting, undergoing repairs.  As we did the turn a boat was coming through the former stop lock, and as we got closer another one appeared.  Then it was our turn.  These days, there’s no actual lock.

The North Stratford seems like pretty slow going, with even bridges in short supply at times.  We were even denied the excitement of stopping the traffic by lifting the Shirley Drawbridge as it’s currently stuck open, and the road is closed.

We were being caught up by an old motor and butty, so we waved them past.

In the end, it meant they did the next lift bridge and also let us through.  It had begun to rain, pretty much on schedule, so we stopped at around 3, just past Swallow Cruisers and before the lift bridge at the top of Lapworth Locks.  We have lit the fire for the first time this trip.

16 miles, 0 locks.  (229 miles, 216 locks)