Tardebigge Wharf displays a brief history of the men who came to pull the horse drawn work boats through the tunnels in this area, using a steam tug (one is preserved at the wharf).
After doing the usual, water, rubbish and toilet, we set off again, very sore the days work before, for the first of 2 tunnels, both in the region of 500metres, so not too onerous!
The light at the end of the tunnel...
Leaving the tunnel, no problem!
Bit messy though, need to remember to put the splitter on the chimney for the next tunnel, which reduces the impact on the tunnel lining.
Lock free cruising, we like this! Beautiful canal....
If we had been so inclined, we could have loaded up with logs, it was everywhere, towpath side!
Second tunnel, except this one, we had oncoming who managed to hit us, but only glancingly!
We moored at Alvechurch to wait out the weather for a couple of days and decided to jump on the train to Birmingham.
The International Conference Centre, quite impressive interior!
We had a breakfast in the Floating Coffee Shop and then walked through the ICC into town. I needed to get my phone mended, so we got it booked in for collection the following week.
I was quite keen to check that Gas Street basin wasn't as scarey and grim as I had read about, and was pleasantly surprised. Hopefully we will able able to moor here when we come back in the next few days.
Setting off next morning, we steered past Bittel Reservoir moorings, where we spotted the boat we nearly bought! Thank goodness for a thorough survey! Bit windy on this stretch, not sure we would like to moor here during the winter!
Hopwood has been a nice mooring, especially to sit out the passing of many boats out for the bank holiday. I found plenty to keep me busy, as well as the shop being open! Yes, I am suspended over the water, painting roses on the butty and diamonds on the other end of the lozenge, but 3 bags of coal held the plank still! Note to self - need to lose weight....
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