Moving on 26th to 31st May

Tuesday and the heatwave continues. Andrew is due back at the boat by lunchtime, so I was getting down the first six locks of the day and waiting for him to join just before the next three locks.

Poking my head out at 7am and it was already hot so got under way. New friends Dave and Carmel on nb Troutbridge were also leaving so we went down in convoy, Carmel working like a hero to get both boats down. I've not done many locks on  my own but soon got the hang. She would fill the lock ahead and open the gate while I emptied mine, then she'd come back and open my gate while I scrambled back to the tiller.

Was far too busy to take photos until we were at the bottom of the flight and literally underneath the M5

I love that the original canal bridge is still there, albeit dwarfed. The shade was so welcome, even though it was only 9am.

Moored up at Galton Pump house by 10am and half an hour later, Andrew arrived. Perfect!

On our way before long and into the three locks down. The temperature was well into the 30s and quite a few of the paddles were hard work. Once done, and I was dripping with sweat, I went inside for a cold wash and change of clothes. Thus, presentable for City centre and lunch at the Roundhouse.

And back to the boat, to get ready for a night away. Temperature still in the 30s

And now a hiatus as we journey north to Barnsley, stay overnight, family gathering,  drive to Springwood Haven, an Uber to Birmingham,  and on our way again.

At 5 30am.

Past the famous roundabout 

Birmingham is on top of a hill, you see, so to leave it in any direction, there are locks. Lots of them. 27 locks in 8 miles. They're heavy, these Birmingham paddles, and it's due to be warm again, though not as hot as recently.

 Farmer's Hill flight, miraculously,  were all set in our favour so we had descended all 14 by 8.30am, and that was including a pause to fill with water.

Onwards to the Aston flight of 12 locks, and in contrast these were all empty. Through the rough hinterland and finally out into the countryside to Moor up, have lunch, and snooze

Very nearly an amazing view..

(Geddit?)  During the evening we realised that Monday was due to be wet so we sped up the timetable: two days instead of three. 

So another 8am start, and to be honest not sorry to be out from under the Birmingham flight path. They're still finding aviation fuel from somewhere!

A beautiful morning, and lovely countryside

Except where the HS2 will be crossing over, when it's  finally ready.

A steady succession of locks , always  downhill, until we reached the Coventry Canal, when we came upon 2 going up. Then came the discussion.. we planned to moor in about a mile's time, unless we see something nice beforehand.. all right, here. The lock landing?? No, just beyond, look. Oh, oh that'll do. Is there a pub? Very good then. That was 2pm.. time for a siesta,  shower, and a pub crawl in Tamworth.

Tamworth Tap House a splendid watering hole

But we wound up at an Italian restaurant with an almost distressingly enormous gluten free choice.

Sunday 8am, engines on.  11 locks today and the final push to our home mooring. 

Through suburbs and pretty countryside 

Don't think this will be moving anytime soon.

No pause for lunch as we head up the Atherton flight of 11 locks. There is so much more traffic on this canal, compared to what we have been used to, and moored casually at the bank too. So we kept slowing down past moored boats, but on the other hand boats coming in the opposite direction at the locks were effectively setting them in our favour.

3pm and we finally reached our destination, Springwood Haven. A good deal of messing about in the middle as there was a boat already where we expected to go, which had to be moved. And the wind got up, inevitably, giving Andrew lots of problems for a while. But all sorted itself out and we are snugged up to a full length pontoon, a luxury we have not had for years.