Friday, February 25, 2011

Birmingham to the Chocolate Factory.

After our couple of days in the city, it was time to head out.

Sunset over SmethwickWe left around 10:00, turning right at Deep Cuttings Junction (thanks Neil!) through Broad Street Tunnel and onto the Worcester and Birmingham Canal at Worcester Bar.

Exiting Broad Street Tunnel, Worcester Bar ahead and Gas Street basin on the left.

After the sharp right turn in front of the Mailbox, we pulled in to fill with water and empty a loo tank, then set off towards Edgbaston.

The railway is a constant companion all the way to Bournville, and at Edgbaston there are twin tunnels, one for rail and one for water.

Two Tunnels at Edgbaston.

Two miles further on, at Selly Oak, a major reconstruction has taken place on the canal. To enable a new road to be built, an aqueduct has been built to carry the canal over the route. A temporary diversion was dug so that the canal wasn’t closed during the works.

Selly Oak New Aqueduct.

There’s an interesting set of photo’s here. Click on “slideshow”.

Looking back at Birmingham University’s campus from the aqueduct.

Suppressed artistic flair or just plain vandalism?

Mags, practical as ever – “It must have cost a lot for the paint….”

We pulled in on the secure moorings opposite Cadbury’s at Bournville after just 2 hours.

Moored at Bournville

It’s been a grey, cool day, but at least the rain held off till we’d got tied up.

Locks 0, miles 4½

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