Yesterday evening it rained and rained so when we went out to eat we didn’t go too far, only to Las Iguanas Mexican restaurant where we have been before and their menu is large enough to make us visit again.Even that short walk we were quite wet when we got back to the boat.
This morning the forecast was much better, even some sun, just before we left this ex working boat came by and like last time failed to make the junction and hit the far wall.
We followed him out but went the other way, as we left the junction I spotted this on the far bank. I wonder who commissioned it? I think its a bee.
I was surprised to see Joules Fuels moored by the mail box, I didn’t realise Birmingham was on there run, we stopped just round the corner by the services for 5 minutes then made an error of judgment, as we were about to leave a hire boat came round the bend and rather than pulling out I waited for them to go slowly passed and then followed them to Selly Oak Junction. One of the points of interest, where they slowed to a crawl is Edgbaston Tunnel, this use to be wide enough for two way traffic but a few years ago CRT decided to widen the towpath and reduced the channel to single file. The University railway Station looks to be nearly complete now with the line running through the middle of the station.
We carried on to Selly Oak Junction where we stopped for an hour to replenish supplies from Sainsburys, This will be a winding hole to give access to the Lapal Canal when restoration is complete. The only down side is the goose poo all over the hard surface.
I forgot to add, up until now it had been raining but had thankfully just stopped.
Shopping done and we were away again, just passed the Bournville moorings there were some boats breasted up, on the outside was a CRT push tug with a chap down the engine hole and in front of them was what I think is a Standedge Tunnel pod. On the inside was the Ikon art boat that was moored in Birmingham for some time.
Then on to Kings Norton Junction and no I didn’t get round in one, but the old Toll House is looking splendid, I hope someone takes on living there with all the money that has been spent following the fire a few years back. I don’t think it would suit every one to live there, but its a grand house now.
From here it was on the North Stratford Canal and through the only lock of the day, Lock No. 1 a now disused stop lock that was put in to prevent water loss from one companies canal to another.
From here we went through our second tunnel of the day, this one is two way working, but this one doesn’t have any tow paths though it so looks much narrower especially compared with Netherton Tunnel that we did yesterday.
We were lucky to find a mooring just prior the the bridge moorings at Shirley Lift bridge.
Today’s Journey
11 miles, 1 lock in 3¾ hours
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