Birmingham

3 July – Exploring Birmingham on foot

Up at 8 and despite its reputation not too bad - a lot of night life so noise did go on to 3ish but was all good natured.  The demo on the opposite side of the basin started at 8 so there is no noise control on Saturday mornings.

We have Jeff and Caroline catching up with us this today so I spent the morning heading to New Street Railway station to collect tickets for our adventure on Sunday to London. Most of the centre of Birmingham is dug up - a lot of redevelopment is going on, Jeff said later that it had been going on for years. Pete stayed on board to run engine for power and hot water, did dishes and vacuuming. He said around 9.30 a group of Chinese tourist spotted our boat and all had photos taken with the herb garden in the background.

It has taken us 3 weeks to get to Birmingham, well worth the side trip - we left Jeff and Caroline on 12 June and are finally catching up with them today. They arrived around noon to show us the sights of Birmingham, it is great having someone who has knowledge of the area, and you do get a lot more history about the place. Also had mail for us as our tickets were sent to their address for concert Sunday night – came by courier UPS causing a little concern at one stage.

 Building in the middle is the Library

Worcester Bar (1792)

This bar separates the Birmingham and Worcester & Birmingham canal and the use to manhandle cargo across from one canal to the other until they added lock in 1815 

We continued down towpath over bridge and through symphony hall to the library. The library was something that we have heard a lot about from many people and it was all that we had been told and more. http://www.libraryofbirmingham.com/visiting

On 9th floor is Shakespears room, the old library when destroyed they put this room into storage and when this library was built they put it back. How can they destroy such history you wonder.

 The concrete building below was the library in the 70s did not stay for long, even Prince Charles was disgusted with it and Caroline doesn't agree with him often but does on this, I think so do I. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birmingham_Central_Library

They have a secret garden on 7th floor which gives you spectacular views of the city

By the time we leave the library Pete is saying Donna Noble has been saved.

Outside was a photo exhibition

We then stopped for a quick pint a Weatherspoon’s, one of Jeff’s favourite pubs and yes, he is right they are the cheapest beers we have had - a round for 4 only 9 pounds. Pete and I have been paying 7-8 for his beer and my double merlot – love England, They do large glasses of wine but it is getting a bit hot through day so pints a cider are nicer. We shall have to find more Weatherspoon's on our travels http://www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk/

Strolled back over to Brindley Place and then a trip around Ikon Gallery which had an exhibition of Pavel Buchler, very different and interesting  https://ikon-gallery.org/event/pavel-buchler/

Back to boat for happy hour and people watching before heading off to Jimmy Spices for Dinner http://jimmyspices.co.uk/ - All you can eat smorgasbord for 10 pounds, Chinese, Thai, Indian, Japanese and many others. Pete was impressed gave it 9 out of 10 especially for the Chicken Tikka though I think a 7 out of 10.

We finished our catch up with Jeff and Caroline at The Brasshouse listening to some Jazz and more people watching before they headed home on the No. 9 - http://www.brasshousebirmingham.co.uk/. All in all a great day and thanks for showing us your city. Will contact you again when we get back.

We headed back to our boat and found Barry the Homebrew guy moored not far from us he is here for the weekend selling his brew kits - we had meet him in Stone so had a catch up before calling it a night.  http://www.thehomebrewboat.co.uk/

TOTAL  - many miles walked no boat miles, engine ran for 1.3 hours

4 July – Gas Street to Ryders Green to Oozell loop – exploring canals

Up early and I went for a walk after coffee to see if Walkabout bar had super final on live. Not open – proper Aussies, I think not. Back to boat and catch up on Facebook.

We walked over to the BBC at the Mailbox about 10 and sent pictures of me to Clara with the Real Tardis and a Darlek – HAHA.

Did a small Tesco shop and off to look at the canals of Birmingham, they say there are more canals in Birmingham than in Venice. We left through Old Turn junction and under St Vincent St Bridge which was the end of the Birmingham and Black Country half marathon for 2015, it started at Wolverhampton Railway station I believe http://www.stuweb.co.uk/event/1550

We explored Icknield Loop which has Canal Trust storage at the bottom of Rotton Park Reservoir

 Pete was impressed with all the treasures

Then crossed over to Soho Loop which we found fisherman again and also a prison and hospital.

 Do they or did they bring the prisoners in by canal or is this were they escape.

Then back on to the Birmingham New Line – meaning no locks - we continued seeing marathon runners. We turned up a side arm which is Wednesbury Old Canal and went as far as Ryders Green Junction and decided to go no further - was very shallow and we were bringing up a lot of sh!t

Our journey back was a lot quicker and we saw the last of the marathon runners coming in.

Amazing bridges and tunnels

 Picture below we are on a the canal, aqueduct goes above us under the railway line which goes under the motorway. Now that is what you call spaghetti junction

Up another side arm back in the centre Birmingham, Oozells loop to Shelborne Marina where the boat shall stay safe while we go to London. Off Sunday lunchtime and back late Monday night.

TOTAL – 16 miles, 3 loops, 1 branch arm and NO LOCKS