Birmingham

Although Andrew had located a Tesco Express a short(ish) distance from where we were moored over night and had walked to it first thing: no newspaper. We set off and a little later stopped at a bridge where there was a Londis store alongside but they only had Sun, Mirror and Mail!

The weather today was again very different, much colder and overcast grey but dry all day.

Launching Ramps

 

We returned the way we came yesterday afternoon - the first section was originally the Stewarts and Lloyds steelworks which closed in 1967. They maintained their own boats and the ramps for launching them can still be seen.

It was Mike's turn this time to steer the boat through Gosty Hill Tunnel. He only added a little scratch to the cabin corner! In places the tunnel is not only very low but also leaves very little room either side of the boat.This means that a very slow speed is all that is possible as the water cannot rush past the sides. We also spotted the ghost this time.

Although most of the land adjoining the canal is built up - houses on one side and industry (mainly waste management) on the other, there are places where it can briefly feel rural again.

Toll Office and Narrows

Tolls had to be collected to pay a return to the entrepreneurs who built the canals and, in many places a narrows or island was built to assist. The toll keeper had to measure the draught of each boat in order to charge the correct tolls, which were based on the amount of cargo being carried. The notes (on the figure standing beside the canal) about this toll office describe the building as hovel - it is also, sadly, a victim of repeated vandalism.

At Windmill End we turned right and immediately began the 40 minute passage through Netherton Tunnel. This is a very different proposition: wide enough for two way traffic and towpaths either side it was built to provide as little delay to working boats as possible.

Cobbs Pumping House

Cobbs Pumping Engine House stands starkly over the southern tunnel portal.

Netherton Tunnel

After emerging once more into daylight and completing the short tunnel branch, we joined the New Main Line. Built later in the canal age to alleviate traffic delays on the original canal, it provided a straight, wide and deep almost motorway route into Birmingham city centre.

Dudley Port Junction

Many towpath bridges over former arms or loading basins are a reminder of just how many businesses grew up around this transport infrastructure (just like distribution centres around certain motorway intersections)

Former Side Arm

Squirrel scurries across footbridge

Bromford Junction

At Bromford Junction we opted to take the slightly longer route up through the three Spon Lane Locks onto the old Wolverhampton Level so that we could stop at the services on the Engine Arm.

Spon Lane Top Lock

The top lock looks diminutive underneath the huge elevated motorway which dominates the canal for the next mile.

New Smethwick Pumping House

We stopped for lunch beside the New Smethwick Pumping House - but it failed to deliver on its promise to be open for visitors.

Engine Arm Terminus

We turned down the Engine Arm and right at the end we used the usual range of facilities before turning around and coming back out to the three locks back to the main line. The arm crosses over the main line on a short aqueduct.

New Main Line

Smethwick Top Lock

The former Lock Office stands alongside the top lock.

Smethwick Junction

Below the locks we rejoined the main line for the remaining couple of miles into the city centre. At one point we spotted some railings high above the cutting - the mundane design has been relieved by some decorative panels, each in a different design.

We arrived at Brindley Place where we moored as we have several times in the past, close to the NIA and Sea Life Centre.

13.3 miles - 6 locks