Birmingham central!
Started at 6.00 again this morning! By 7.30, we were locking through the first of the flight of 21 through Wolverhampton - Anti vandal key in action although so as not to offend the locals,I notice BW call them 'water conservation keys'- a nice spin!
The Wolverhampton flight are not the most interesting of locks, although they were very well maintained. We found the pounds extremely low and I was close to not getting in one lock, however, to their credit a BW man was running up and down trying to refloat us all again and very apologetic about the lack of water. At lock 6, we met up with Steve and Julia on NB Even Balance and a cup of coffee and cake provided a welcome short relief from locking through in the increasingly heavy rain.
Onwards and upwards, (quite literally, although at times it felt more of the latter than the former,) and finally the toplock was reached and even the rain eased off.
There now began a few hours of cruising through what I describe as 'Grimland' Not even historical architecture providing any camera fodder. Most of the anglers and 'passers by' were pleasant enough and even the hoodies acknowledged your passing by with a smile and wave - just enough to seem polite but not too much to be seen to be uncool or even worse: enthusiastic!
Eventually Birmingham was reached. To the Birmingham newcomer, the lack of signs and plethora of trip boats made quite a daunting welcome, not helped by the ingestion of a sodden fleece jumper which almost stalled the engine as we were deliberating over exactly which arm we should go down and whilst watching a 70 ft trip boat bearing down upon us from behind!
Eventually, we discovered Gas Street Basin and went on a little tour of Birmingham whilst being photographed from the front, rear and from bridges above by tourists who probably thought we part of the 'Britain in Bloom finalist' celebration which were advertised on banners around the city.
We turned to find a place to moor and managed to squeeze into an end terrace spot behind a kind Black Prince hire boater who willingly pulled his boat forward to allow us room before we battened down the hatches and walked off for an explore by foot.
We decided on an evening meal at the 'Malthouse'. Err Ummm well yes, it satisfied the need for hunger but would not be recommended based on our experience although others doubtless would disagree. The service was slow, portions adequately sized - no more, my prawns for the starter, were almost warm and my father's soup of the day was not hot! The steak was good and the price was reasonable though.
Tomorrow - off towards the Grand Union and nearer home!
The Wolverhampton flight are not the most interesting of locks, although they were very well maintained. We found the pounds extremely low and I was close to not getting in one lock, however, to their credit a BW man was running up and down trying to refloat us all again and very apologetic about the lack of water. At lock 6, we met up with Steve and Julia on NB Even Balance and a cup of coffee and cake provided a welcome short relief from locking through in the increasingly heavy rain.
Onwards and upwards, (quite literally, although at times it felt more of the latter than the former,) and finally the toplock was reached and even the rain eased off.
There now began a few hours of cruising through what I describe as 'Grimland' Not even historical architecture providing any camera fodder. Most of the anglers and 'passers by' were pleasant enough and even the hoodies acknowledged your passing by with a smile and wave - just enough to seem polite but not too much to be seen to be uncool or even worse: enthusiastic!
Eventually Birmingham was reached. To the Birmingham newcomer, the lack of signs and plethora of trip boats made quite a daunting welcome, not helped by the ingestion of a sodden fleece jumper which almost stalled the engine as we were deliberating over exactly which arm we should go down and whilst watching a 70 ft trip boat bearing down upon us from behind!
Eventually, we discovered Gas Street Basin and went on a little tour of Birmingham whilst being photographed from the front, rear and from bridges above by tourists who probably thought we part of the 'Britain in Bloom finalist' celebration which were advertised on banners around the city.
We turned to find a place to moor and managed to squeeze into an end terrace spot behind a kind Black Prince hire boater who willingly pulled his boat forward to allow us room before we battened down the hatches and walked off for an explore by foot.
We decided on an evening meal at the 'Malthouse'. Err Ummm well yes, it satisfied the need for hunger but would not be recommended based on our experience although others doubtless would disagree. The service was slow, portions adequately sized - no more, my prawns for the starter, were almost warm and my father's soup of the day was not hot! The steak was good and the price was reasonable though.Tomorrow - off towards the Grand Union and nearer home!
****STOP PRESS****
Gas Street Basin is a great place for photography. Not only did I manage this lovely shot of the evening sun reflected off the buildings into the canal....
....but we were also rewarded with a beautiful rainbow against a pink sky over the city centre.
We have also worked out that by about 30 lock miles, our shortest route back is via Fazeley junction, through some of my favourite places such as Hopwas and Atherstone so that seems to be our intended route now.
posted by Khayamanzi @ 7:25 pm
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