Into the countryside

Tame Valley Canal passes beneath Spaghetti Junction

A long but not particularly interesting journey today. We wanted to make sure we got out of the Birmingham built-up area without needing to stop. Also we are near the end of our Summer travels and so are keen to get back home.

We left Cuckoo Wharf early at 8:30 and set off through the ongoing dreary surroundings of outer Birmingham. Although the first 15 minutes or so was rather more interesting as the canal passes very close to Spaghetti Junction. The Tame Valley Canal which joins the Birmingham & Fazeley near Cuckoo Wharf actually passes directly beneath it - I took some photos last night during a brief walk down the Tame Valley.

A couple of miles took us to Minsworth where there are 3 locks. This area has a bad reputation for vandalism - the local little darlings often raise the paddles on the locks draining some sections of the canal and flooding others. A week or so ago the floods they caused breached the canal and blocked the A38 with silt. BW now have permanent staff on site.

Bizarre castellated footbridge at Drayton Bassett

Beyond Minsworth things improved as we passed through the outer fringes of Birmingham and into open countryside - not particularly scenic but certainly better than the areas of semi-derelict workshops and crumbling factories we had been through earlier. The Curdworth locks are worth mentioning as they are clearly loved by someone. The metalwork is freshly painted, the paddle gears are clean and well oiled, and small areas of bedding plants are thriving.

We finally moored near Fazeley where the B&F joins the Coventry Canal at 4pm tired after 11.5 miles and 14 locks, with only a 20 minute break for lunch