All change again!

Wednesday, 23 December 2009 09:04

Continuing into Birmingham - in and out, loops, a weather change and moorings!

The BCN Junctions are often preceded by Toll House islands here is just one - the islands are still there but no tolls to be paid!

The BCN began to feel more industrialised now and as we approached Smethwick Junction we could see a cluster of what looked like disused factories.

I was struck by the contrast in these two photos - the new adjacent to the old!

The Soho Loop was once part of the Old Line and leaves the New Line at Winson Green. It is the longest of three loops and goes around to Hockley Port, rejoining opposite the Icknield Port Loop (also once part of the Old Line) at Rotton Park Junction.

Soho Loop entrance and the other one at Rotton Park Junction

Icknield Port Loop entrances at Rotton Park Junction and by a factory

The Sherborne Wharf Trip Boat passed us and winded at Rotton Park Junction

After St Vincent's Street Bridge is the entrance to the third loop - Oozell's Street Loop. We were going around this loop as we needed some diesel from Sherborne Wharf.

Oozell Street Loop here we come

Sherborne Wharf has permanent moorings throughout the loop

Oh look!

Paul's boat Waterway Routes

We filled up, then made our way out of the loop to Old Turn Junction (Deep Cuttings Junction), under Sheepcote Bridge and past the Brindleyplace visitor moorings.

At the Junction we turned left to moor up under the lee of the NIA (National Indoor Arena). No sooner had we moored up than this happened!

After a relaxing afternoon and good night we moved off, reversed back to Old Turn Junction and manoeuvered into the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal.

We were lucky to find a pontoon mooring at Cambrian Wharf above Farmers Locks, where we will stay for a while!

We moved at the right time as the snow and ice arrived with a vengeance and we have been iced in for the last few days!

Dudley No.2 Canal, Windmill End to Birmingham and Fazely Canal , Cambrian Wharf
3 hours 39 minutes, 9.43 miles, 0 locks