Thursday, 27 September 2012

Back to Brum

We had a great evening yesterday moored up in the Black Country Museum. We met with fellow bloggers Angela and John from nb ‘Ellen’ for the first time – they were also moored up in the basin.  They came on board for a drink and a chat and, after a lot of chat, we decided to carry on the evening and get a fish and chip supper!  Great company and enjoyed by all of us! 

IMG_2629

Doug, Angela and John enjoying their Fish and Chips.

Today we left the museum at about 7:30 after taking on water.

IMG_2631

Having come down on the ‘old’ canal line we took the ‘new line’ back to Birmingham.  At the beginning of the journey we followed a British Waterways working boat and butty being operated by volunteers. We had a bit of a delay as they worked their way down the three factory locks at the start of the trip and then they just disappeared into the distance never to be seen again!

IMG_2632

The new line is as straight as a die for most of its length and not very interesting – the old line is much better.  We’ve had bright sunshine all day – very nice indeed, even if it was in our eyes for the whole journey back!

IMG_2635

Things got a bit more interesting as we approached Birmingham – the main supports for the M5 have been built right in the middle of the canal. They’re big enough to see luckily!

IMG_2636

View to our rear showing the aqueduct taking the old canal line over the new one and the mighty M5 dwarfing everything.

After 3 hours of cruising we’re are now safely moored up back in  Birmingham on the opposite side of the canal to where we stopped before.  After a quick clean of the boat we took a walk into town to visit the “Back to Back” houses (NT).  As recommended by James and Debbie, thanks guys!

IMG_2638

On the way into town we came across some filming – a very nice Bentley on a trailer, with cameras, in front simulating the car being driven along the road. 

IMG_2640

An impressive gold leafed statue of three of Birmingham’s most influential past citizens – James Watt, Matthew Boulton and William Murdoch

IMG_2643

The frontage of the National Trust owned “Back to Backs” in Hurst Street.  They are the only ones left in the city and are very well presented inside and out.

Tonight we are planning to eat out in town again and give our tastecard another pasting.

No comments:

Post a Comment