Enjoying Being in Birmingham June 2014

Our Summer Cruise 2014  - Day 12
Stopping in Birmingham

This is our last day here. The alternator charging problems seem to be behind us and the 2 operas we booked have been fantastic.
[Chris was able to meet up with her sister and get the train back to Crewe - they then went south on Saturday to see an Auntie who is poorly. Chris got back late last night]
Today we are chilling and getting ready to travel tomorrow - not least getting more supplies from the big Tesco's nearby.

Here are some photos taken over the last few days.

A classic view of the Post Office Tower at the top of the Farmer's Flight of Locks

The old malthouse - now a pub

Moored up on the Oozell Street Loop

A view from the boat of the improvements to the NIA

We got the waterbus down to the Mailbox on the way to the Station

 

Here Pete demonstrates the cleanliness of the water!

A surreal pic at the side of the Mailbox

The majestic Masonic Hall

 

Just opposite an amazing pub serving, no less, than 8 real ales - I had the BFG, Birmingham Finest Gold (and you can bring your own food!)

Rather splendid!

BCN Main Line to Birmingham June 2014

Our Summer Cruise 2014 - Day 7 Part Two
Completed 15.5 miles, 24 locks and 3 tunnels

So having come up the Wolverhampton Flight of Locks (21), we headed south towards Birmingham at about 1pm.

Regeneration - here house building much in evidence

Local industry still borders the canal

This first section is the 1772 James Brindley contour canal - here twisting and turning

This section was semi-rural along a reedy length

Evidence of an industrial fire?!

Where does this Junction lead to? It's the line of the 'old' canal from Deepfields Jnc - the Wednesday Oak Loop - now a dead end to the old Waterways Bradley Workshops, where they make the lock gates. We've never been down there - one day?

At this point, the canal was 'improved' by the engineering genius, Thomas Telford, driving a straight new Main Line, using cuttings and embankments and here the Cosely Tunnel in 1837, so avoiding a lengthy detour around the hill 

At 328 metres, it is not that long but rather wet!

More industry from the past - slowly returning to nature or specified for housing?

Following the New Main Line - under a rather low bridge at the Factory Locks, good job I had the shorter exhaust chimney on!

Passing Caggy Stevens yard at Tipton

Looking back along the very straight Main Line

Pudding Green Junction - leads around to Pelsall (where we went last year - see link) 

 

Bromford Junction  - we go straight on!

Under the M5 and into a large Telford Cutting

This is Galton Tunnel, now with a concrete inner sleeve

Smethwick Pumping Station - built to raise water to the old, higher canal level. Built in 1892 to replace an older steam engine and house - now with a replica chimney - it used to pump water from the lower Main Line level of 453ft to the Wolverhampton Level at 473ft

Telford's ornate iron bridge on the Engine Arm - built to bring coal to the Pumping Station

Looking back at the narrows where a Toll Office would have been

Examples of the many side wharfs, arms and loops that served the local industry

Being overtaken by a man on a mission - the Stewart Lloyd Tug No.4 at full speed?

Funnily enough, we pulled up just behind him at the Sheepcote St. Bridge moorings!

Having arrived in Birmingham at 6pm - 9 engine hours, 15.5 miles and 24 locks

Locking up the Wolverhampton Flight June 2014

Our Summer Cruise 2014 - Day 7 Part One

I had intended to have a very early start - as it was, we were off by 8.30am though had ready been passed by several boats.
In keeping with our tradition, Chris did the first lock as I brought the boat into the Wolverhampton '21' - rise of 132 feet over the 2 miles or so up to Wolverhampton.

Approaching the Bottom Lock in the morning sun 

Looking back down one of the lower pounds - this first stretch of the lock flight is pleasantly rural and well maintained

Further up, we encountered housing estates (new and old) - this new lock tail bridge allows residents from the nearby estate onto the towpath - note the elegant handrail ends!

The towpath is signed to be a through route for residents and had many walkers and cyclists using it.

Well done to the CRT staff who look after this lock flight. The gates were dry (as above) with only a few leaking; the locking gear was well greased and easy to use and the gates swung quite easily. The locks are less than 7 feet deep, so of course this helps.

Modern buildings - this is the Science Park for the University of Wolverhampton

The upper part of the flight becomes increasingly industrial - here looking up at railway bridges and the council incinerator complex

 

 

There was very little water coming down - compare with the Shropshire Union!

And the grass was being cut!

Even the off-side was tidy - again compared with the 'natural' state of the locks on the Shroppie!

Arriving with refreshments from a local mobile cafe

A sign of the times?

Despite much investment - there are still large areas of dereliction

Getting towards the top

The old Lock Keeper's Houses at Top Lock - dated from about 1772

 

We completed the flight of locks in around 3 and 1/2 hours - and only saw 4 boats coming down. So, with the first part of the day accomplished, we set off for Birmingham.

We had done this trip, this time last year - see this link for interest in that blog for comparison?!