Next leg


Onwards from the pub to the next flight of locks, the Lapworth flight. This was fine, but we were getting concerned that we had only seen one place where you could stock up with Diesel, way back, and we were not sure if our gauge was working. Andy kept dipping the tank and it seemed we might have half a tank left, but when we finally passed a marina that sold fuel we reversed and moored up to get some. I’m making this sound easy.  Filling a tank while holding onto the centre line while moored alongside the marina owner’s boat! Other boaters not being aware were going past quite fast, disturbing the water and causing the boats to separate…., and I found myself trying to do the splits to keep from falling in the canal. 

But we filled up with fuel and water somehow. This is always a good feeling, so we continued very merrily along past the Southern suburbs of Birmingham. We thought this would be ugly, but a lot of canalside development has improved the look from the water, and it made a change from endless trees either side. Having said this, there was nowhere we would have considered stopping. We did end up somewhere quite forgettable for the night, just before the King’s Norton junction, which was our home run down to Worcester!   Getting there! But of course, there is no easy run! We came upon an electric drawbridge. First time for everything. 




You put the British Waterways key in the slot, lights flash, barriers come down stopping the traffic and the bridge lifts up. 

Our key didn’t fit😳

This being one of the quietest days we have ever seen on the canal…

No friendly boaters to help us through.

There was a number to ring, Which we did. The response was amazing. They were prepared to send somebody out to let us through, and they would be with us within the hour! Amazing service don’t you think.?

As luck would have it, 10 minutes later another boat showed up with a key that fitted and they kindly let us through. We cancelled the cavalry and carried on much as before, plodding through the suburbs, another tunnel..Hence to the Junction, proudly marked by the Guillotine locks. 





Oh what a feeling! To finally turn left into the Worcester Birmingham canal! Time for a rest before the descent. The sign that follows….


If you look closely that says “Worcester 58 locks” 😟

We decided to do the Wast tunnel and then tackle the locks the next day.,

 https://youtu.be/3zBkCP4nscM?si=aTj5gbj1mGTWH_XM

We did meet someone coming the other way, and I was driving so it all went very smoothly, but no photos!


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