Ice still around on the BCN

Monday, 18 January 2010 20:01

But clearer in the centre of Birmingham

I left you on Rotton Park Junction footbridge. Crossing the bridge I returned on the opposite towpath. This one is less used and has a cinder surface so it was quite muddy and puddly in places.

But first I had to negotiate the Junction again

I had another look down Icknield Port Loop as I crossed the towpath bridge, but no looping the loop there for a few days!

Ice as far as the eye could see

I had hoped that a train would arrive when I was on the footbridge over the BCN Main Line, but S***'s Law - it arrived after I left. They were working on the line - it being Sunday - and the goods train made its way slowly along the line which runs parallel to the canal.

Train on railway line

I could tell I was approaching the city centre as there were patches of thawed water - although it was deceptive as there was ice underneath. The buildings keep the temperature up, which is why today, as I write (Monday), there have been some narrowboat movements. A couple of excursions from Cambrian Wharf to explore possibilities of moving and the service boat to bring diesel and pump out to nb Witchcraft.

St Vincent Street Road Bridge advertising Sherborne Wharf

The cinder towpath is very clear in the photo above. However it improves after this bridge and rises over the Oozells Street Loop on an elegant bridge.

Towpath Bridge and 14 day moorings beyond  Looking down at moorings in Loop

I reckoned that another day and this loop would be clear of ice. If we could move from Cambrian Wharf we could then get a diesel top up and a spare gas bottle. Arriving at Old Turn Junction and the other end of the Loop this was confirmed. (We may try on Tuesday)

Reflections in Loop at Brindleyplace moorings

It seemed that the worse place was the Birmingham and Fazeley as the ice was still very evident at Old Turn Junction.

One of the boats moored on the 48 hour moorings opposite the NIA had been to Holiday Wharf by the Mail Box for water and said that it was clear to there. A quick deviation and I took these on my way to Gas Street Basin in the interests of research!

Brewmasters bridge and house and Gas Street Basin from Broad Street Tunnel

Whilst there I spotted some features that we had missed when we walked there in the snow. I will share them with you soon!