You remember I said we would be heading up and over Birmingham to avoid the stoppage at Camp Hill Locks? Well, we didn't.
Ian and Carol on Calan Lan got in touch while we were at Lapworth, before we set off up Lapworth Locks. They were arriving last Friday, so we decided to wait for them before heading up, and there was an update due from CRT regarding the repair on Friday too.
The first update said they had been progressing well, and would issue further info later. True to their word, at 10 to 10 they sent out another email to say the lock was repaired and open for business. They must have worked like troopers to get it finished. Well done CRT.
So we switched back to Plan A, around Birmingham via Knowle, Camp Hill and Garrison Locks to pick up the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal at Salford Junction.
Not wanting to go through the built up area over the weekend we moved up to then bottom of Knowle Locks on Saturday, then today up the locks to Catherine de Barnes. An early start tomorrow will take us to Star City near Salford Junction, 10 miles and 11 locks, if we've got an energy left by then we might even push on to Minworth.
Leaving Lapworth for then last time for a while - we hope!
Moored below Knowle Locks.
This morning we were off at 10:00, around the corner to the bottom of the locks, pleased to see a couple of volunteers waiting on then lockside.
It was hot already, so out came the floppy hats...
We made good time again, bottom to top in about 45 minutes.
Ducks in a row on a sunken boat near Copt Heath Wharf.
Easyjet arrival at Birmingham Airport...
...and ours once again at Catherine de Barnes.
I hope we have better luck tomorrow than a week ago...
Locks 5, miles 3½
1 comment:
Good luck! I seem to remember there are some good stretches in a tree-lined cutting at one point but an awful lot open to the sun, hope you don't get too hot!
Debby
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