Friday 14 August 2009

Birmingham to Catherine De Barnes. 25 Locks and rejoin the Grand Union.


We knew this was going to be a long haul to get clear of the suburbs and the graffiti.


Our chosen exit route from the city was received with horror by another boater who says we should be armed before attempting it, he carries an Air Pistol on board his boat.


Personally I think that is the most stupid thing I have had the misfortune to hear since leaving my old job. We stick to a very early morning start and aim to be in a safe area by 2 in the afternoon, so far this has held us in good stead and we have now been through some of the roughest places on the canals.






Dropping back down through Farmers Bridge in the early hours of the morning we were surprised to find that the locks had been "set" (Filled with water and the gate left open) for us.

Our mysterious benefactor turned out to be a youth who comes to the flight every day in the holidays to help the boaters through by working the locks ahead for them.
We gave him a few quid as we were down in an hour and a half.
Thinking about that, if he helped five to ten boats a day through and they all "tipped" him as we did, he is on a nice little earner!!! Good luck to him.






These apartments have been built over the pounds in between the locks, they are a bit "square rigged" but probably cost a small fortune.



Out from underneath the buildings once more,







and it wasn't too long before we were amongst the trees again.







Our penultimate lock of the day, next to a main road where the cars and lorry's were pounding by, the noise!!!





We are now at Catherine De Barnes where we will be attending the Village Fete on the green this afternoon.

Little pinkie in the air, don't you know.

Until tomorrow...............................


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