Wandering Canuck

Birmingham (and environs). We left Alvechurch and made our way in the approach to Birmingham through the massive (and impressive) campus of Birmingham University. We stopped in Bournville along the way,which is the purpose built town for the Cadbury empire. Toured Cadbury World, which is the still-functioning central manufacturing center for Cadbury products (read chocolate…). They were instrumental in the success of the canals in this area, using them for raw materials and finished product transport until the second World War.

Kerry got his fill of chocolate, and we have enough on board to last me two lifetimes (Kerry- probably until the end of the week).

We then entered the center of Birmingham proper, which has an extensive, restored canal network that rivals Venice in length (though probably not in terms of romantic interest!). We toured for the day on foot to the jewellery quarter, where still today, more than 70% of the jewellery for the British market is manufactured. We toured a factory, owned by 3 siblings, who never married, did little to modernize their practices or equipment, and when they retired in their mid 70’s, just closed the factory doors and walked away. The local council took over the premises several years later, and it is now a time-capsule museum of jewellery manufacturing in Victorian times. It was really interesting, and the tour is highly recommended- guided by someone who understands and shows the use of the machines and tools there.

We are now on our way out from the city: 24h there reminds us of the peace and tranquillity of the canal system in rural places! We did lots of locks, dropping from the plateau that Birmingham is built upon, and are headed along the Birmingham and Fazeley, to the Coventry,  and then to the Trent and Mersey canals. We’ve decided to attempt the Leicester ring, eastern parts, that I tried to do last fall and was thwarted by heavy rain and high water.

Worcester and Birmingham canal.

We left Droitwich Tuesday, after a day of real nasty rain and wind. We decided to stay in on Monday, to catch up on some reading, cards, food, and all. The excursion from Droitwich was ‘interesting’. This is one of the most recently restored canals, and the exit from Droitwich provided us with some challenges. There are a number of swing footbridges that were very stiff to operate, then a tunnel under the main road that was by far the lowest I’ve encountered anywhere. We should have filled the water tank to act as extra ballast, as the grab handle and anchor, (the highest things on the roof of the boat) both rubbed along the underside of the tunnel roof. No damage- just no room for a hat on my head, either!

red sandstone cliffs and excavations along the Severn River

street scene in Worcester

on the Tardebigge flight of locks

hawthorn berries

Shortwood tunnel, racing along with Pat at the helm

portal of Shortwood tunnel

autumn on the Worcs and Birmingham canal

the Cathedral, and a lonely church tower (the church collapsed years ago), at night from the Severn River moorings

We joined the Worcester and Birmingham, and complete the day of some 17 locks and three swing bridges just as it began to rain. We moored just before the major challenge of the flight of 30 locks at Tardebigge. Today, we set out at 0900h up these locks, which we completed, fully, by 1208h. We were amazed at how smoothly our team was able to do the longest flight of locks on the English canal system. Each of us steered for 1/3 of the flight, and Pat also completed her first tunnel transit in command, before we moored for the night at Alvechurch. Lots of pics today, some from a few days ago, but I couldn’t include them then. I hope you enjoy some of the sights we have been treated to.

Worcester. We toured from Stourport today, after a morning of domestic chores (water, fuel, food, and a little lumber from the hardwood store). It was a glorious fall day, with just a cool breeze to mar the blue skies and warm sunshine. The river is pretty, with red sandstone cliffs. We arrived in Worcester at about 1530h, moored on the river after a walk into Diglis basin showed that up 2 locks and crammed in with many others probably wasn’t worth the effort just to avoid the wind.

sandstone cliff houses near Kinver

an Heron ready to grab an elusive fish. There are many along the canals

Worcester Cathedral

a friendly and insistent swan

autumn: the leaves here are falling fast, but some remind us of Canada

the west window of the cathedral, with the sun behind, making the while thing glow

We walked into Worcester to visit the famous cathedral, and the light was perfect for great pics. We were also ‘adopted’ by several of the hundreds of swans that are resident here in the city center. They are so ‘boat aware’ that they reach up and watch through the windows for signs of people, and the possibility of a handout. Kerry took some amazing pics of one who really wanted us to notice him and he showed off for several minutes, cm from us.

The cathedral is spectacular, but even better was the chance to attend evensong. The resident male choir sang: plainsong, Tallis and a very moving setting for the service. Evensong in the traditional English way never fails to move me, and this service was particularly good. No organ (the main old pipe organ is out of commission and they have a Rogers digital substitute…), but the choristers didn’t need that clutter. A great way to end the day.