We have spent the last two days exploring places that we have not been to before.  We left the mooring at the Black Country Museum on Thursday morning and headed for Netherton Tunnel.  Netherton Tunnel was the last tunnel to built during the canal age and so is a modern tunnel, completed in 1858.  It is a very large tunnel with a tow path either side and enough room for two boats to pass.

Having passed through Netherton Tunnel we headed off towards Hawne Basin on the Dudley no.2 Canal.  Not many boats come this way so it was a bit of a shock to meet another boat coming in the opposite direction in a bridge 'ole.  They were surprised too and much slamming on of brakes ensued, well in boating terms shoving into reverse and winding up the revs.  Both managed to stop and then pass through the bridge in good order though.

Shortly after the bridge incident we came to Gosty Tunnel.  We had taken down all chimneys and exhaust stacks as we had heard reports that the tunnel is very low.  We were a bit surprised then that although the tunnel was narrow it seemed to have plenty of height.  Then we came to the low bit!!

One of the low sections in Gosty Tunnel!

Sign post for Hawne basin inside Gosty Tunnel

Exiting Gosty Tunnel

Hawne Basin was a bit tricky to get into as it is a tight turn under a low bridge.  Also it was windy which made manoeuvring difficult.  However once in their was a warm welcome for visitors, who can moor up at no charge for up to a week.  Should be arranged in advance but they didn't seem to mind that we hadn't booked.  The Basin belongs to the Coombeswood Canal Trust who operate it as a mooring for their members.

Turning into Hawne Basin

It's a bit tight!

Hawne Basin

Spring is here!

We retraced our steps this morning and then carried on joining the Dudley no.1 Canal where we are moored up for the evening just above Delph Locks.  Referred to as the Delph Nine although there are only eight of them nowadays.  A long day tomorrow with 24 locks.

Left Birmingham yesterday morning heading for the Black Country Museum at Tipton, near Dudley.  There is an extensive canal system around Birmingham, known as the BCN (Birmingham Canal Navigation's).  We mostly stayed on the New Main Line but took a few diversions into some of the more interesting arms and loops.

Icknield Loop is just a very industrial length of canal with old dilapidated warehouses on one side and lots of parked vans across the other.  There is no towpath and it has an air of abandonment.  But then as you come round the bottom of the loop there is a waterways office and loads of moored boats.

Turning into Icknield Loop from the Main Line.

Boats moored at the bottom of Icknield Loop

More boats moored at the bottom of Icknield Loop

 Soho Loop is much better maintained with a proper towpath and a mixture of industrial and residential areas.

A bridge on Soho Loop

Winson Green Prison is right next to the canal on the Soho Loop

Coming out of the loop and back on the the main line proved exciting due to the wind and we didn't quite make it round on the first attempt!

Approaching the end of the Soho loop with a boat passing on the main line

The only other diversion was turning at Albion Junction onto the Gower Branch.  There was a lock here with a low bridge in front.  So low that I had to take all the chimneys down.  A group of lads hanging around under the bridge directed me through and informed me that not many boats came this way.  Had a fascinated audience of people who had never seen a boat go through these locks.  After this it was a short trip to the Black Country museum where we are now moored up.

Spent a fascinating day today looking round the museum and also going on a boat trip through the limestone caverns in this area.  Had fish and chips for lunch.  Cooked in beef dripping and not vegetable oil.  Delicious, best fish and chips we have eaten for years!

Boats at the Black Country Museum

Dudley Tunnel and Limestone Caverns

Tomorrow we will be going through Netherfield Tunnel.  Think there is some history, possibly the last ever tunnel built on the canal system.  I will check it out though as not sure.

Saturday morning we left the mooring and carried on the trip to the Hopwood House Inn where we moored for the evening and remained on Sunday.

This part of the Stratford Canal has lift bridges including one at Shirley which is electrically operated and where the traffic has to wait for boats to pass.

Graham and the dogs operating a lift bridge

Graham walking the dogs, leaving me in charge!

Stopped for water and met the people off the narrowboat Fandango.  They have the boat for three months and maybe planning to go up the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and through Standege Tunnel.  A trip that we did last year.

 Lock no1 on the Stratford Canal

Following Fandango through the guillotine lock

The above guillotine lock, now disused marks the beginnings of the Stratford Canal and was used to protect the water level.

Fandango didn't quite make it round King's Norton Junction on the first attempt.

Turn left at King's Norton Junction!

We followed Fandango round King's Norton Junction and on to the Worcester and Birmingham Canal.  Turned left which is the wrong way for Birmingham.  The plan is to go through Wast Hill Tunnel, a long one at 2726 yards and moor up at the  Hopwood House Inn and spend Sunday there before turning round and heading for Birmingham.  Sunday was an interesting day which included one of Graham's magical mystery tours with lots of wet, slimy mud, dogs were filthy and had to have a swim to clean them up!  Enjoyed a lovely evening in the pub with a few beers and a good meal.

On Monday we cruised to Birmingham.  I love the trip into Birmingham and also mooring up.  Other times we have stayed for a few days but this time is just an overnight stay before heading of to the Black Country Museum.

New student accommodation for Birmingham University

Coming into Gas Street Basin

Old Turn Junction, Birmingham

Tonight we are moored outside the Black Country Museum.  Bit of an adventure getting here and we will be  staying over to look around tomorrow.  Will update tomorrow after visiting the museum.

We are moored up for the night at the top of Lapworth Flight on the Stratford Canal.  We came up 21 locks narrow beam locks today which took 31/2 hours.  In spite of the forecast being for rain, we have had a lovely sunny day.

On Wednesday we had a lazy day following the hard work of ascending Hatton Flight on Tuesday.  We stayed moored up for the day and did some jobs on the boat.  It was a lovely sunny warm day and was brilliant just lazing around all day.  Was such a nice day we decided to let the fire go out overnight as didn't think we would need it.

Thursday morning felt cold when we got up, only 12 degrees inside, but had breakfast and walked the dogs thinking it would soon warm up.  Decided today to move along to Kingswood junction and turn onto the Stratford Canal.  The plan is to go down one lock of Lapworth flight and then moor for the day.  Not a good trip it is cold and damp and by the time we get to Kingswood junction we are both cold and fed up.  Filled up with water and emptied the toilet and then moored up for the day.  Lit the fire and felt much happier as we warmed up.  We are moored just in front of a boat selling canal ware and I have bought a small shovel for £3 to replace the plastic beach spade that got lost.  The forecast for Friday is for rain so we may not move.

Got up early Friday morning leaving Graham in bed, and took the dogs for a long walk along the towpath.  A lovely morning, bit damp but warm.  Fed the dogs when I got back and found a frog sitting in the front deck, not sure how it got in, but when I went out to move it, it had disappeared.  Not sure if it is still on the boat or has left.  Later found two more sitting in the bottom of the tyres that we use for fenders.  As it is a better day than the forecast suggested we have decided to move on and get to the top of Lapworth Flight today.  Graham had to reverse into the first lock and then turn the boat before continuing up the flight.

Saw a pair of swans nesting in one of the lower pounds.  I just hope that there is less rain this year so that the waterbirds nests don't get flooded out like last year.

Leaving the mooring

Reversing into the lock

Barrel roofed cottage, a feature of the Stratford Canal

The split bridge is designed to allow the tow rope through on a  horse drawn boat

Passing in one of the pounds

A busy few days and we are now well on our way to Birmingham!  Tonight we are moored above Hatton Flight between Shrewley and Rowington.  It is in the middle of nowhere but still four other boats and have moored around us.  I think they must think there is safety in numbers.

We left Saturday evenings moorings near Ventnor Marina on Sunday and cruised down to Long Itchington, mooring up in a similar spot to the last time we came this way, towards the end of last year.  We cruised for 31/2 hours down 10 locks, hard work as they are all big double width locks.

Mooring near Ventnor Marina, Calcutt

Had a peaceful evening at Long Itchington and spoke to Steve on Skein Dhu who was moored in front of us.          Steve has just bought ther boat and is moving it from London to his mooring near Birmingham.  We were all ready at the same time in the morning and so shared the first 7 locks before we had to stop and fill up with water.  Caught up with him later at Tesco in Leamington Spa.

Bascote Locks

After filling up we did one lock on our own before waiting for a hire boat, Trafalgar, coming up behind us.  Did the last 2 locks with therm before stopping at Tesco.

Trafalgar coming into Fosse Lock behind us

After a shopping and lunch stop we carried on towards Warwick meeting up with Trafalgar again as we came up to Cape Locks, the last 2 locks of the day, a total of 12 locks, I think we deserve a beer!!  Moored up below Hatton Flight after a brief excursion down the Saltisford Arm to check out the moorings.  Very Packed and we decided not for us.  A good evening was spent in the Cape of Good Hope!

Cape of Good Hope, a traditional canalside pub

Today, Tuesday, we were ready to set off to tackle Hatton Flight, sometimes known as the 'Stairway to Heaven, a flight of 21 double Locks.  Always a daunting prospect especially with one boat and only one person to work the locks.  However luck was with us as Jean and Roger on Adagio came out of the Saltisford Arm as we set off and were happy to come up the flight with us.  A long day taking about 31/2 hours to climb the flight.  Good mooring this evening though and pizza for tea!!

Jeanie Deans and Adagio making their way up Hatton Flight.

Well at last we are underway with this summers trip.  After mooring up over winter at Union Wharf in Market Harborough we eventually left to begin the new adventure on 5th March.   However following some sad news we returned to the Wharf to attend the funeral of an old friend of Graham's, the guy who bought our old boat 'Mad Annie'.  A very sad day.  It was so cold that we booked into the wharf for a few days and  took the opportunity to do some washing whilst we were plugged into the electric

We have had some horrible weather, however today has been sunny and bright and much warmer.  Warm enough to drink wine outside this evening:-)

We eventually left Market Harborough on 31st March travelling to Foxton in cold and dismal weather and have made our way slowly down towards Braunston.  Bit of a problem the day we went through Crick Tunnel as out tunnel light decided to stop working.  But fortunately Graham is not to be defeated and he managed to mackle something together so that we could get through the tunnel and be seen.  Braunston Tunnel was a bit more tricky as it is much longer and darker, but we managed it without problems and once in Braunston were able to buy new bulbs and sort out the problem, so we now have a fully functioning tunnel light.  Had a good meal at the Marston's pub in Braunston last night and a decent pint of beer:-)  Walked into Braunston this morning and bought faggots and an excellent pork pie at the butchers.

Monarch a steam powered narrowboat moored on the Grand Union Canal just before Braunston Tunnel

Another shot of Monarch

Working boat moored at Braunston

Today has been a good day and the first time for ages that it has felt warm lets hope that the warmer weather continues.  Moored up tonight just past Calcutt Locks and heading towards Birmingham,

Braunston Junction

Just one to show that the men do occasionally work the locks