Back to Brum

We drove up to Birmingham from Cornwall, setting off as early as we could (just before 9 am) bearing in mind that we had to collect a butchery order from Gary Dutton's shop in the middle of Wadebridge. (being on the canal is no excuse for not having our customary delicious Sunday roast!) The journey was uneventful and by 1.30 we had successfully navigated our way back to Sherbourne Wharf, on the Ouzells Street Loop, just off the Main Line.



After unloading the car and eating our packed lunch (we were not tempted whilst on the road!) we moved the boat from its paid-for mooring back to the city centre a couple of hundred metres away where we moored for the night - for free!. Mike walked back to the boatyard and collected the car to drive back to Lower Heyford. After a wait on Heyford station platform with the night fast approaching - and with it a sharp drop in temperature - he caught the planned train to Banbury. An earlier train from there than on the official schedule meant that he was back in Birmingham New Street shortly after 7 pm.

Meanwhile, Christine stayed with boat, although she made a shopping trip into the city centre for part of the time, before preparing the evening meal.

The city centre around Brindley Place was very busy with its night life, although the mooring is itself quite peaceful. A trip boat, complete with loud music and flashing disco lights passed by a couple of times.