Earlswood

Here I am Rune

Distance 12.4 miles

Total 2412 Locks  117 Tunnels

Running total mileage 3417.9 miles 

Today’s trip was, for us, quite substantial although involved no real lock work. Technically we passed through one lock, the stop lock at the start of the Stratford Canal, but that lock is permanently open. It is also a bit of a curiosity since it is one of the few guillotine locks in the area, not sure why they made it different to all the others. Sadly, as a passing shot on leaving Birmingham, we again had a rock thrown at us as we passed through Selly Oak. On this front Birmingham has been a bit of a disappointment since we had none of this nonsense 2 years ago when we were here, doesn’t relect well on the city.

The guillotine stop lock

Included in today’s list was 3 tunnels but only one of which I would regard as a ‘proper’ tunned. Broad Street tunnel is just a long bridge, Edgebaston Tunnel is a slightly longer bridge, it is only Brandwood Tunnel that merits the name, and that is only 352 yards long.

Brandwood tunnel

After 3 weeks in and around the city, it is nice to be moored back out into open countryside again.I think we will probably stay here at Earlswood tomorrow then head on towards the Lapworth and Hatton flight of locks on Monday.