Day
15: Moored at Oozell Loop Junction Bridge, in B'ham
3.5
miles, 24 locks in 3 engine hours
Up
early with the sounds of industry starting up (big extractor fan) and
a CRT work boat setting off for a day's activity. We were on our way
by 8.15am and into rain at the first few locks. Thankfully, it soon
passed and the day became warmer with some sun to welcome us back to
the heart of Birmingham – for the second time this cruise.
Some bridges give a clue to the industrial past
A nod to H&S
Evidence of recent repair
We
passed a boat in Lock 10 – the second of the 11 flight and then had
the canal to ourselves until the top, when we passed a hire boat with
students from Bristol University.
The
11 locks were in reasonable shape, with little leakage, though no
water appeared to be coming down. The top of the lock flight is some
70 ft higher and gave views across this part of Birmingham.
Cruising past new offices
Interesting cantilever footbridge – an original as the marks from
the pulling lines can be seen
We had these in Edgeware, N.London for the town gas storage (when I was a boy!). Looks like they are still in use?
At
the Aston Junction, we turned right to approach the Farmers Bridge
flight of locks – 13 here rising some 80ft. They are all close
together and heavily built over from the days in 1798 when it was a
farmer's field.
We
were met by one of the new Volunteer Lock Assistants, and between us
(the locks were in our favour and nothing came down) we flew up to
the top.
The famous BT tower, which we go past
Dingy railway arches
Under the Tower Building
Squeezing in modern housing
Old and new
2 more locks to go!
Looking back at the BT Tower
Our mooring for the weekend tucked under the Bank Resturant
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