In the centre of Birmingham

Yesterday there was no blog because we didnt do anything. We had left our moorings once the rain stopped at 11:00, but it restarted after we had cruised about 100 yards. So we gave up for the day, staying in Merryhill, but now in the Waterside area surrounded by bars and shops (mostly closed) and offices (mostly empty).

This apparent lack of success is similar to other canalside developments we have seen over the past few years eg Coventry and Leeds Clarence Wharf where the Great British Public obviously doesn't come to shop and enjoy themselves in what seem to be well designed and attractive surroundings - a great pity.

Today we needed to get some miles done so we set off at 8:40, now on the Dudley No. 1 Canal which started at Delph locks. The canal water is brown, unlike on the Stourbridge canal, but the scenery is still surprisingly attractive and interesting. The Dudley No.1 Canal ends just after the only lock on our journey today, near Dudley Tunnel.

This tunnel, dating from the earliest days of the canals in the Birmingham area, is closed to combustion-engined boats because of the lack of ventilation. So at this point we move onto the Dudley No.2 canal which takes us after a couple of miles to Netherton Tunnel, at 3027 yards the second longest on the canal system available to normal boats.

Leaving Netherton Tunnel

Because of congestion at Dudley Tunnel, Netherton tunnel was constructed in the 1850s to provide an alternative route through the hills between Birmingham and the Black Country. Technology and mechanisation had much improved since the earlier canal tunnels were built and the perfectly straight Netherton Tunnel was constructed with tow paths on each side and with gas lighting (no longer in use!).

4 generations of transport - the M5 crosses the Birmingham-Manchester railway which crosses Brindley's Birmingham Canal which crosses Telford's Main Line.

Once through Netherton we turn onto Telford's Birmingham New Main Line, built in the 1830's to replace Brindley's winding canal of the 1770's. The Main Line is typical Telford, straight with cuttings removing the need for any locks. Along its length there are a number of attractive iron bridges dating from the canal's construction. As with the other Birmingham canals we have travelled on this journey there are trees and wildflowers, dog walkers, joggers and anglers, and only occasional sights of the densely populated and industrialised areas that surround it.

The Main Line passes through Smethwick - Spon Lane bridge

It is on the Main Line where we see our first sight today of other moving boats. We had travelled the 9 miles and 3.5 hours from Merryhill to the Main Line without seeing any.

The Main Line ends at a junction of four canals near another and rather more successful canalside development, Brindley Place, only a few minutes walk from the city centre. Here we moored opposite the National Indoor Arena by the side of the Sealife Centre after a non stop journey of over 5 hours.