Day 1 - Saturday December 16th - Birmingham to Bodymoor Heath 11 miles 2 furlongs, 35 locks, 7 hours 15 minutes Weather - Unbroken Sunshine
Kicked off at 7.35am this morning. One of the other boats had started it's engine shortly after seven and sleep was now impossible. As it happens we wanted an early start, as there were a lot of locks to do and I didn't want to find myself following another boat down the flights. As it happens, we timed things exactly right. Just before we set off I had walked over and opened the top gate of the top lock. No sooner were we in the lock than a chap appeared from a boat moored next to the lock and helped lock us down. He said he was waiting for some friends to arrive before setting off in the same direction. Said friend duly arrived, walking up the flight, before we left the lock. He had opened the top gate of every full lock ready for their passage. I guess he must have been a little peeved at seeing all his good work go to help a different boat. :-) We did back set some of the locks, but before long the full complement of their crew were up and ready to reset each lock as we left. Cleared the bottom of the Farmer's Bridge flight just before 9.00am, and arrived at Aston Junction a quarter of an hour later. The pound below the first lock of this flight was completely empty. Not sure if it was vandals or a badly leaking pound. Thankfully, it is only a short pound, so it didn't take too long to fill it enough to get through. Cleared the bottom of the Aston flight at 10.45am, which I felt to be a pretty reasonable time for the 24 locks. Turned right at Salford Junction, and was through the Minworth three by 12.30pm. Top of Curdworth flight at 1.20pm and tied up outside the Dog & Doublet at 2.50pm. Decided now was a good time to clear the last of the Birmingham rubbish from the prop - hopefully we won't pick up too much now as we are out in the country. Had a snooze for a couple of hours, and are heading off to the pub in a few minutes. Terry Streeter NB Arun - Bodymoor Heath
