BCN Explorer part 3

Wednesday morning,  and retracing yesterday, returning to the Black Country Museum at Dudley. Up early,  to make sure we had enough time to do it justice.

It did not disappoint!

First, though, we took the trip through the Dudley tunnels, built by Lord Dudley to get limestone and coal from his (originally) driftmine works out into Birmingham and R. Severn via Stourport.  Before Brindleys Main Line, it was madly busy despite being a narrow rat hole with no towpath.

So there were leggers, running against the walls in the pitch Black, having to get speed up to coast across the open caverns like this. It had a roof on then so was dark, with one lamp illuminating a cavern with 5 exits. There must have been many crashes.

Life expectancy was dire, especially for the 9 year olds, left to make sure the home made fuses didn't go out when bringing down a hanging stack of coal. The owners were utterly callous about their workers. Never forget, they could be again, if not forced to behave themselves!

Minerals leaching out the rock: white is limestone, grey coal, red iron, and yellow clay.

Many side tunnels still blocked, it's an absolute warren of shafts chasing the seam.

From there to the museum, giving a taste of the homes, workshops and shops at the end of 19th century.

So much to see! 

The unions developed early here, and no wonder. In the Workers Institute I found the original banner, a poster of which was in my office for 20 years. 

Hello old friend!

After walking our feet off, the gang gathered to eat out again:

Mad O'Rourkes Pie Factory.

And an excellent time was had by all.

We will be dieting next week though! I am missing vegetables!

Onwards, this time into Birmingham and the 14 day moorings just short of the Old Turn junction (aka Sea Life Centre) and Gas Street basin. First though, we had to get by the M5 

Still carrying the greenery with us as the city piled up on the horizon.

Moored in good time, ready for the big city.. laundrette. Needs must, and that same place had loads of pics of celebrities on tour who also brought their smalls in for cleaning.

Talking celebrities,  Jay Blades, of Repair shop, had been filming at the Museum in the morning and was at the Bullring that afternoon.

We had been fancying texmex but the nearest Las Iguanas had such dire ratings that we went to Los Pereos instead. Last time we came here, it was a fancy burger joint that Andrew and Marc went to.

Friday morning and we rebelliously stayed in bed while all around us dashed away. It was as late as 9.30am that we got started, meandering around the various loops that used to be the main route before Telford pushed through his dead straight Main Line.

A really lovely and interesting cruise.

We went up this arm, Soho branch, to top up with water.

Lots of building at Icknield Port Loop

and an ancient little yard around the back

Back on the Old Main Line 1760 odd, we passed over Telfords New Main Line 1790 or so, the railway, 1820 ish, can't be bothered checking dates, and M5,  all stacked on top of eachother.

There had been volunteers in the morning to help us up the last half dozen locks to Titford Pump House. They had gone by the time we arrived, but left all the locks set and open ready for us!

No kidding,  this is a truly beautiful sight.

Up top, lots of activity in preparation for the festival next day. Being tail end Charlie we went a fair way to find a mooring. 

One of the boats, nb Isabel, Peter and Leonie, leaves us in the morning so was keen to continue to the end of this particular canal. Andrew was too tired but I walked alongside them in case a rope from the bank would help. The bottom is awful near the top in some places.  

The end is effectively a reservoir, Titford Pools. What a spot! I hopped on board ready to experience the doughnuts in the middle.

That evening, cooking on board for the first time in a week, then off to the BCNS AGM and quiz. We formed a team with nb Jethro, Paul and Jen, and nb Stoney, Gwyn and John, calling ourselves Water Palaver. Despite the excellent name, we came 3rd of 9 teams. As ever, the Modern Music round was our Achilles heel.

And just like that, the week is done!