Birmingham

A day of locks - 33 in all! We began in good time - in contrast to the previous few days, it was overcast and comparatively cool, just what we needed for the stretch ahead.

The first task was to complete the remaining eight of the nine Curdworth Locks. Alice and Jess were out and about, helping with the gates and exploring the surroundings as well as the wildflowers.

At Curdworth Top Lock, Andrew had prepared an easter egg hunt which the two girls quickly completed and then proceeded to demolish the contents!

As we left the village of Curdworth and approached Minworth we lost the countryside as the edge of Birmingham arrived. It is quite a clear transition.

The three locks of the Minworth Flight are quite separated and We were keeping an eye open for a shop - milk was high on our agenda and, as it was Easter Day, no large stores were open. Christine explored near Tyburn Bridge as we used the full range of services - alas she returned empty handed.

We were not optimistic in the area ahead of us as it is largely industrial or commercial but at Butler's Bridge we found some bollards which made a useful lunchtime mooring. Also, Andrew found a small shop which largely sold alcohol in its many forms but also stocked both red and blue top milk.

Off again and we were soon to pass under Erdington Hall where a now disused factory was bult out on concrete beams completely over the canal.

The motorway loomed and then we ran alongside until we neared Spaghetti Junction where we took a left turn under the high level bridges to join the Aston caanal. Alice and Mike hopped off the boat as they passed over the aqueduct just beyond the junction so that they could walk up to the next flight of locks: Aston Nine. They were surprised to see several clumps of bluebells, obviously thriving in this unlikely environment.

By now were were working as a team and for the most part able to work ahead to set the locks before the boat arrived. There was very little traffic about today, perhaps no more than ten boats to pass all day.

However, we picked up some rubbish around the propellor and, at the top lock of the flight, Andrew opened up the 'weed' hatch to discover several plastic bags which took some time to cut away. We suddenly made much better speed afterwards.

We had read in the guide book that mooring were now available between the Aston and Farmers Bridge flights of locks but not only were the three or four bollards fully occumpied by fishermen, the surroundings were not great and very close to a busy road.

So, as it was still quite early, we decided to press on as we knew that there would be much pleasanter moorings at the top. We entered the bottom lock at 4:30 and it was only an hour and twenty minutes later that we emerged at Cambrian Wharf - many of the locks in the flight have a definite cavernous feel and Jess was able to practice here 'echo' calls quite frequently!

We moored at a familiar spot, close to the Sea Life Centre and on the quieter side of the canal. All that we now have left to do is finish off preparing the roast chicken dinner!