Another first for Epiphany

Tuesday, 23 February 2010 19:24

We are taking the long, hard way around into Birmingham

Unlike yesterday, it was a grey and very cold day

We left this view behind us and set out towards Kings Norton Junction. The Wast Hill Tunnel had not changed! However there was a strange mist hanging around inside!

Misty/smoky Wast Hill Tunnel

Beyond, contractors were still working, tree felling and repairing the towpath. There was a tree across the canal which they had to cut and then drag out of the water to enable us to pass. This they did very quickly!

Working on the towpath

We discovered that the water point before the Junction had two boats moored on it - one of them a Contractors one, so decided to pass on filling up here! The elsan disposal point is a bit further on, but here we failed too. Or rather, BW had failed to check whether the lock had been vandalised again - it had.

Elsan disposal (a couple of days ago)

We reported the problem to BW and continued on to the North Stratford Canal, turning right at Kings Norton Junction.

The North Stratford is a "first for Epiphany" - not for us though, as we had been on it on Twelfth Night.

Junction behind us

Ahead of us was the preserved guillotine gate of the stop lock (Grade ll and a Scheduled Ancient Monument) which passes under Bridge 1.

Guillotine gate and Bridge 1

It remains permanently open, but all the workings are still there

Gate permanently up

It still makes a dramatic entrance to the North Stratford Canal. The Birmingham and Worcester canals were once at different levels and the stop lock was last used in 1959.

Stop Lock under Bridge 1

Guillotine gate at other end

Following this there was once a swing bridge. It was hard to open and even Nicholson remarked that it was "small (but heavy) in the older map books. It is now no more and there is a derelict warehouse beside it.

Swing bridge pivot

Towpath remains of swing bridge 2 and warehouse

We soon noticed that this canal has an unpleasant amount of graffiti; every building and bridge was covered. The canal passes through Solihull, although this Birmingham suburb is mainly hidden from the canal. The local youths obviously think they have an artistic bent

Brandwood Tunnel is next - both tunnel portals are Grade ll listed. On the western portal the plaque is still clear - it is William Shakespeare.

Brandwood Tunnel

The Bard above

The eastern portal is less well preserved

Now the suburbs close in, before Bridge 3 with gardens on the off side.

This was a sign of things to come!

Bridge 3 and as the sign above implied - Horse Shoe pub

After this bridge there is the remains of an old arm

We passed Lyons Boatyard, its long term moorings with Cocks Moors Woods golf course on the towpath side.

Lyons Boat Yard and chandlery

Off side warning - innacurate golfers expected!

Once again gardens came down to the canal, some "Titchmarshed", others featuring their owners collectables!

Gardens ahead

Cyclamen peep out of the snow

Ten Green Bottles and a roadside bollard!

We passed some moored narrowboats before Shirley Draw Bridge, including one that had been iced-in with us at Cambrian Wharf.  The bridge is a bit of a feature of this section and is operated electrically using a BW key.

Fi at the controls

The bridge closing behind Epiphany

Not long after this we moored up - thankfully, as it was beginning to snow. After a bit of trouble, John established the satellite to get a TV signal and then retreated below to warm up.

Worcester and Birmingham Canal, Hopwood, to Shirley, North Stratford Canal

3 hours 23 minutes, 7.7 miles, 0 locks