Going South Spring Bank holiday

On our way around 9am, boating through Worcester Bar
and Gas Street basin. 
I love the contrast between the old wharves and painted boats, with the modern city springing up behind.
Lots of boats on the move.. of course, half term. So filled up with water, and headed for Selly Oak where we paused for a few supplies:
 then past Bourneville
where the railway station is painted in Cadbury colours .

Greenery returning as we arrived at King's Norton (lovely canal House on the junction, being restored, very good to see)

where we turned sharp left onto the Stratford Canal.
55 locks in our future, but not today, only this one which has been decommissioned for decades.

Wiggly canal, this, quirky like this boat,
and the bottom a bit near the top. We had a few groundings and went a bit further than we had hoped as we couldn't get in to the side. By half 3 Andrew had more than had enough and was very glad to stop, at Bridge 19.

Lovely May blossom this year, at tonight's mooring.
Chili con carne on the menu tonight and a quiet evening reading. 

Sunday morning and a lie in. Then a pint at the Blue Bell Cider House and back for a burger, chips and beans. Then , to walk it off , up the Feeder Arm to Earlswood Lakes
and the original pumphouse that fed water from here to the canal.
All decommissioned now, and the building closed up . A lovely walk though and back to the boat along country lanes past cute cottages
and ghastly McMansions with which decency insists I should not trouble you.

Up, not quite with sun, but promptly,  to get down at least the first part of Lapworth Flight. The locks come thick and fast hereabouts:
A challenge for the less experienced boater, especially when passing someone else in such a short space, but I managed ok.
Found some paddle gear only standing out of habit:
and a pretty spot for lunch, oh all right, the night. 
Grubs up
Walked down to the junction with Grand Union to check out the facilities, and had a good chat with a local CRT volunteer. 
A sneak preview for tomorrow, at the end of which we shall dine in the Fleur de Lys, all being well.


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