Birmingham (Birmingham Main Line) to Hopwood (Worcester & Birmingham)

Going onto the Worcester & Birmingham canal

Passing the Mailbox

There was a produce market on in Brindley Place this morning, so we walked up to have a look at that, there were a few stalls there but not that much, it was okay though.  Walked back to the boat and chugged off down the canal to turn around.  We turned around and chugged back up, past the ICC and turned right through Gas Street Basin and onto the Worcester & Birmingham canal, around the corner and moored up at the services to fill up with water.  On we went, through Edgbaston and Selly Oak, none of these areas are very nice, you wouldn’t want to stop especially overnight!!  Past Bournville where Cadbury World is, there are moorings there behind a gate but it still doesn’t look very inviting. 

In Wast Hills Tunnel

Passing King's Norton Junction

Getting near the end

On past King’s Norton Junction where the Stratford canal joins the Worcester & Birmingham, then before we knew it, we were at the entrance to Wast Hills Tunnel.  All 2,726 yds of it!!  Tunnel light and inside lights on and in we went.  This tunnel is not so bad as it is quite wide, you can pass in it, but luckily we didn’t meet another boat and it is quite high.   

Almost out

Out into the sunshine

We were following another boat so Kev went quite slowly at first as when we were following them down the canal to the tunnel, they were going really slow, but seem to speed up once they were in the tunnel, so we speeded up too and soon we were coming out the other side.  It was a bit wet in places in the tunnel so Kev got a soaking, but as I was inside, I was nice and dry!! 

We chugged on a bit further and moored at Hopwood as we haven’t moored here before.  Staying here tomorrow as well, then will chug off on Sunday.

Moored at Hopwood