In to the Black Country

Pleasant day today, sunny, but with a slight breeze. After a quiet night in Birmingham we left around 10-30am on the New Main Line and turned on to the Old Main Line at Smethwick Junction. The rest of the crew had some work to do up the 3 locks after the lock free run from Alvechurch. What a contrast to last year, the locks and surroundings today where all clean, no rubbish and cans everywhere. In fact the whole of the Old Line was very clean, even the old "drinkers" who congregate at Spon Lane Top Lock have sacks in which the put their cans and bottles.

Smethwick Locks

Note how neat and tidy.

We continued along past the summit tunnel and along under the elevated M5, still repairs on-going to the motorway supports.

Who would believe this is the suburbs of Birmingham

Elevated M5

We crossed over the New Main Line on the Steward Aquaduct, past Oldbury and Dudley to moor at the Black Country Living Museum at Tipton.

Museum Mooring

Steamer President and Butty Kildare in the BCLM.

We never passed a boat all day, the only other boat which turned up later at the Museum moorings was our mooring neighbour from Alvechurch, an ABC shareboat. We are covering old ground here having done this trip last year, we really need the boat to move base next year, having been at Alvechurch for over 2 years, we have our Share Owners AGM this month and we have a few suggestions.