Halesowen (Hawne Basin)

Here I am Rune

Distance 12.1 miles

Total 3950 Locks  256 Tunnels

Running total mileage 5811.2 miles

Final cruise of the year went very well, despite a few days of heavy rain whilst in Birmingham, the weather was on our side coming back to the basin, sunny but cold.

Whilst in Birmingham we had a look around the German Christmas Market but didn’t find anything I wanted to buy. I felt sorry for the stallholders who had obviously paid a fee to be in the market but the weather was badly against them and from what I could see, most people were hurrying through to get out of the rain, without buying much.

I also had a session on the Ice Skating rink, discovering that I’ve still got the ability to do it without damaging myself, also took a session in the swimming pool and sauna, very pleasant on a cold day.

Now it is just a case of tidying up the boat before we head to Devon for Christmas.

Birmingham City Centre

Here I am Rune

Distance 11.8 miles

Total 3950 Locks  253 Tunnels

Running total mileage 5799.1 miles

We’ve come out for what will, almost certainly, be our last cruise for this year, albeit only into Birmingham. Like my earlier trip to Merry Hill, the day was ideal for a autumn/winter cruise, sunny, dry although a bit chilly. The forecast over the next few days isn’t so good, but I think it picks up again by Friday, so hopefully we’ll get a pleasant cruise back again.

There were no dramas of any sort on the way into Birmingham, I think I’m getting to know the route particularly well when I can spot that the graffitti on the way has changed!

We’ll have a look around the Birmingham Christmas Market over the next few days, and any other little excursions that we may fancy.

Halesowen (Hawne Basin)

Here I am Rune

Distance 7 miles

Total 3950 Locks  250 Tunnels

Running total mileage 5787.3 miles

As planned, I stayed at Merry Hill until Thursday then took a gently cruise back to Hawne Basin. It turned out that I was travelling at the same time as another couple of boats from the basin so when I got to Blowers Green lock, I left it set for them to enter, it seemed OK to empty the lock after I’d gone through since there wasn’t much else moving on the canal.

So back in the basin with a few minor domestic jobs to be done.