Green Fingers

Mailbox Birmingham

We slid out of the city on the long green fingers that push into its heart. And all accompanied by Vaughan Williams Pastoral #3 followed by Philip Glass. Matthew and Kerry arrived before 0900. Egg and bacon muffin then off past The Mailbox down the Worcester and Birmingham canal to kings Norton Junction. Sharp left onto the Northern Stratford. Weather sunny.

Brandwood Tunnel

Matthew drove most of the way as we headed out through Brandwood Tunnel (with Shakespeares head on the portal) towards the outskirts of Birmingham.

As we threaded through the arborial suburbs it is difficult to imagine you are so close (3 or 4 miles) to Birmingham city centre. (See photo below)

Lunch of the unlikely combination of Caesar salad and jacket potatoes but it seemed to work. Then onwards until hitting Lapworth Lock Flight at 1615. 19 locks later at 1815, a creditable performance, we were free of them. (Thanks to Mat, Kerry and Joanne)

The other curiosity of this canal is the Shirley Lift bridge where the canal crosses a main road with the road just above water level. A sort of waterways level crossing

Moored up at 1900 biggest day so far. So 7 days into the trip we have covered 53 miles 59 locks.Its a nice evening.