Curdworth (Birmingham & Fazeley Canal) to Birmingham (Birmingham Main Line)

Was up with the lark today as we have a busy day with lots of mileage and locks as we need to go from here straight into Birmingham as the areas between here and there are not good to moor.  So we set off at 7.45am!!  On along the canal through Minworth which is very industrial and built up, not the nicest of places.  There are three locks through here and you need an anti-vandal key to open them and there is a lot of graffiti about.  On past there and into the outskirts of Birmingham.  

Building over the canal

In our Nicholson Guide (map book of the canals), shortly before you get to the junction, there is a gap in the canal and we weren’t sure what this meant, but we found out when we got there, the canal goes right under a huge building, its basically a tunnel under the building, not very nice at all.   

Going alongside the M6

Going up the Aston Flight

Quickly through there, the M6 runs alongside the canal at this point, so chugged along there and we were at Salford Junction, on up the Birmingham & Fazeley canal to the start of the Aston locks, there are 11 locks in this flight, most of them were set for us so that made life easier, but the area through these locks is not at all nice, we didn’t really see anyone but you just feel abit uneasy, it is very run down.   At the last lock, there is a training college and a lot of the lads were on the bridge as it was lunch time.  They were all friendly and helped me with the lock which was really nice.  

Starting up the Farmer's locks

In the locks under the office block

Emerging from the office block!

At the top of the Farmer's Flight!!

We were then at Ashton Junction where the Digbeth Branch goes off to the left but we went straight on to the first of the Farmer’s Bridge  locks, there are 13 in this flight, the area around the junction is not good at all and there were two separate groups of men sat on benches drinking, they were friendly enough though, but was glad to get past them and into the first lock.  The locks again were set for us so that helped and we also passed a boat coming down and had to pass in one of the narrow pounds.  A couple of the locks are under an office block, but we were soon up the locks and at the top, 27 locks and 9 miles done in 6¾ hours so not bad going, but I was glad we were at the top.  Stopped at the services for water, then  past the roundabout in the middle of the canal and moored near the Sea Life Centre.  We were lucky as it was really busy, but we managed to squeeze in between two boats, so that was lucky. 

Passing the roundabout on the canal

Moored in Birmingham

Walked up to Brindley Place where there are pubs and bars and had a drink and something to eat, I think we earned it today!  Then back to the boat and chilled out for the rest of the day.  Staying here now for a couple of days, then chugging off on Friday.