Saturday 25 July 2015

Leaving Brum !!

 

IMG_3115We are now on our way out of Birmingham and are making our way towards Fazeley. We have been told by several other boaters that if you are going this way you need to go all the way to Curdworth before you stop as its not safe with some referring to it as Bandit country. The journey will involve dropping down 27 locks with an estimated time of 7 1/2 hours. We left our mooring at 06.55 and filled up with water at the services above Farmers Bridge locks.

IMG_3117As we start our decent down the 13 lock flight we soon start to go under the buildings which are built over the canal and locks.

IMG_3119Carolyn's not very happy coming through this part as there are lots of people sleeping rough below the buildings.

IMG_3127Nearly at the bottom of the flight and Carolyn now has Guard dog Hamish to protect her as we pass under the railway..

IMG_3132The next fight of locks is the Aston flight of 11 locks. The Graffiti is everywhere. If there's a flat surface that the Scroates can reach they will spray it. At least they didn't paint over this bridge name.. I worked in Dartmouth , Devon for 23 years .                                                                               

IMG_3136Dropping down the Aston flight with the old gas holders in the distance.

IMG_3141One of the few boats we passed coming in the other direction. A bit like us ,but also known as Water Gypsies.

IMG_3143As we travel out of Birmingham we can see what was meant when they called it Bandit country. Even some of the houses have Razor wire around their garden walls to protect them .

IMG_3150I have never been up and down the weed hatch so many times. This lot completely stopped us from moving. Its the most I have ever removed in one go from the prop.

IMG_3172We passed this KFC on route and with it being lunchtime Carolyn ran in and picked up a few pieces of Chicken .It had to be the smallest pieces of Chicken we have ever had being half the size of what you normally get. I just wondered if they have bred a new form of Midget Chicken.

IMG_3167Good job this never got around the prop. Its the first time we have ever seen a fridge floating down the canal.

IMG_3175Eventually after 7 hours we reached Curdworth and picked up this mooring just before the tunnel. In the end our cruise was mostly uneventful , but we have heard stories of people experiencing problems on this part of the canal system. After seeing all of the smashed windows of the factories on the canal side plus the graffiti and the measures that the locals take to protect their properties I would definitely recommend NOT stopping overnight between the centre of Birmingham and Curdworth.

                                                                                                                   Happy Days

8 comments:

  1. Nice pics. showing one route out of Brum. I think you chose a good time to leave, early before the rabble wake up. Now going to get the map out and check Curdworth and beyond.

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    1. Hi Les , The run in on The Birmingham and Worcester was a lot better. But as we are heading east this was the best way out for us ...Once you get near to Curdworth it completely changes as you go back into the peace of the countryside.

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  2. well I am so glad that I was not on that trip with you . Carolyn was very brave walking by some of those places. sorry so long sending this have beenhelping Chloe xxxxx

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    1. Not a trip we fancy doing again in a hurry !!!

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  3. a slight exaggeration with the use of the word "worked " in your comment about Dartmouth..........travelled too Dartmouth would be a more fitting

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    1. Hi Nicolas , Good to hear from you ..yes you are correct again .I used to travel to Dartmouth then sit in that control room and do sod all ,those were the days ....

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  4. Not that I envied your trip down the flight with all the unsavory surroundings, but it did bring back a good moment. After hearing about narrowboats from a friend, it was under that very building that I first saw a narrowboat while visiting Birmingham. Give Hamish an extra treat for his good job done, and Carolyn an extra couple of minutes of retail therapy next time! Wishing you fair skies and mild temps. Aloha, Amos and Charlene

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    1. Hi Amos and Charlene , Not a journey we would want to do again ,but still glad we did it if you know what I mean. Hamish has is extra treat and I'm sure Carolyn will take those extra couple of minutes of retail therapy ...probably with my credit card !!!!

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