Day 2 - Birmingham to Curdworth

Thursday 4th June

9 miles 27 locks

A very sunny and warm day. Set off by reversing down to Sherborne wharf for a pump out. Met Malcolm who works there now - he used to work for Ian but was laid off. He fitted out our boat and recognised it.



Farmers Bridge Locks

We headed down the Farmers lock flight - 13 locks, the 10th and 11th under bridges and buildings leaving very little room for manoeuvre and, yes, that is where we met two boats coming up the flight!










Looking back up Farmers Bridge locks





















Coffee break at Aston Junction

After a very short cruise we arrived at the top of the Aston flight and moored up for a coffee before making the descent. Met a couple who are continuous cruisers who had been out for the last five months cruising the route that we are planning to take.











Poppies on the Aston flight

This area is very industrialised and the canal is full of plastic bags, takeaway containers and plastic bottles but there is still lots of wildlife including baby moorhens, poppies, wild lupins, moon daisies, goslings and ducklings.











Spaghetti Junction

Paul was disappointed when we went under spaghetti junction - you could not see the full extent of the interchange. We continued on the Birmingham and Fazeley canal but the Tame Valley and Grand Union converge there too.











Spaghetti Junction

Cruised through Minworth where the odour from the sewage works wasn't as bad as when you drive through. Passed Ink on the Drink which used to hang out on the North Stratford.Completed the last three locks of the day meeting an American family with three teenagers who were quarrelling. They were hoping to get back to Alvechurch today as they had had enough but there chances were extremely slim as it was already 3 pm.

Cruised into Curdworth where we moored in a cutting just before the tunnel. Just us and an Alvechurch boat. Roads are quite noisy though. Strolled into the village after we had eaten. I thought we would find the church if we walked to Curdworth church bridge where we had to scramble up a muddy bank and walk through a grassy field - I was only wearing flip flops. Walked up to the church which was still surprisingly open at 8 pm. It is celebrating its 850th anniversary - St Nicholas. Quite plain but peaceful and surprisingly big. Called into the White Horse for two drinks before strolling back along the road to the boat - ie the direct route. Sat out and listened to the birds sing the last notes of the day and watched the bats with a cup of tea.