A strenuous morning, a long day and probably a shorter blog! We have to make good progress today and tomorrow to make up for the lost half day yesterday. As a result, Mike went for a paper early and then took the boat around to the service point at Cambrian Wharf, the top of the Farmers Bridge flight of locks.
At first light rain was still with us but it gradually faded away and then it was dry for the rest of the day. However, the sky remained overcast and chilly, despite a promise of sunshine after 10 am in yesterday's weather forecast!
Five minutes before 9 we set off down the flight. The locks are close together and have the standard BCN design of a single bottom gate. This makes progress quicker when working through with just two crew. we quickly established a routine and pulled away from another boat that started down immediately after us, but with a much larger crew.
Later they started to catch up with us but we discovered that a volunteer lock keeper was helping them down. He did come and chat with us towards the bottom of the flight but apart from a couple of locks we had to set them ourselves - and they all needed filling.
The bridge below Lock 4 is called Saturday Bridge - a plaque gives a possible explanation.
Below the bridge we were rather concerned about a section of wall that looks as if it may fall at any time. We did talk to the lock keeper about it and he seemed to think that there have been discussions but it is not a CRT responsibility. Let's hope that someone fixes it before it causes a disaster. Collapsing walls are not nice, especially alongside a busy towpath.
The fancy footbridge, which looked great when installed, desperately now needs a good clean. It looks rather sad and neglected.
Lock 8 sports one of the art work installations which can be spotted across the canal system.
We arrived the bottom of the flight 1 hour and 20 minutes after starting - our target was 1 hour 45 minutes so we were rather pleased with ourselves!
Looking back the view has a combination of the old and new buildings.
After a short run to Aston Junction we turned right onto the Digbeth Branch and then at the start of the six Ashted Locks. Along this branch there was quite a bit of re-development, including a new huge block for Birmingham City University.
Ashted Tunnel we remembered from our last trip this way back in 2009 - our boat only just fits through and great care is needed to avoid scraping paint off the top side rail (which we did rather badly back then). The tunnel wall is not very straight as well. It may be that it was not intended to have a towpath through originally.
Below the flight we soon came to Warwick Bar which was originally the end of the Grand Union. A two-way stop lock is currently left open. Presumably its design allows for control of different levels either way.
Bordesley Junction is where another branch goes off to join the Birmingham and Fazeley at Salford Junction. We, however, were now going uphill, through the six Camp Hill locks. The bottom three are decidedly unloved and unattractive although things improve a bit nearer the top of the flight. No wonder the flight has a poor reputation.
A redundant railway bridge across the flight has been demolished but the Arches have still been retained. Wonder whether the original railway builders expected their viaducts to be used in this way?
So here we are at the top of Camp Hill, 25 locks and just four hours exactly! But now we have a long level pound of just over 10 miles to the Knowle Locks. we carried straight on and had lunch on the go in order to optimise our progress.
Several signs have been posted to warn of this sunken boat - just as well as it is around a sharp corner. Looks as if the last straw was a fire on board.
The industrial scenery gradually softened and gave way to tree-lined cuttings as we made out way out to the village of Catherine de Barnes.
One final challenge of the day was the flight of five broad locks at Knowle which we have found quite difficult in the past. However, as we arrived another bout was just entering the top lock and we were able to share. With a boat coming up we made good progress although having to fight the strong cross wind over the open intervening pounds. We completed the flight in half an hour!
Another long pound followed and we cruised for another hour to reach Kingswood Junction at 18:15, relieved to find plenty of space on the visitor moorings!
17.3 miles - 30 locks
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