Wednesday 26th January 2022

What a beautiful day for a cruise, it’s definitely warmer than it has been the last few days - and we are ready to move.
We are currently moored outside The Dog & Doublet pub, just above lock 9 so we have 8 more locks to ascend today.

The first lock we went through was a bit of a bad start though! We got stuck going into it because of our long fenders on the front, Tilly nearly fell in and then Paul dropped his pipe of peace (aka his vape) into the lock!!!

They say bad things happen in three’s,,, so lets hope that it for today, good to get them out of the way with no real disasters
Half an hour later we were on our way again - and no more mishaps thank goodness.

We did pass a boat I recognised that I follow on Instagram - Our Twosome Place on NB Somang - always nice to see someone face to face and have a (very quick) chat.

It’s a lovely rural lock flight although there is a lot is HS2 work going on as we moved further up.

I really enjoyed doing the locks today - although Tilly chose to stay in the boat - maybe it was the shock of nearly falling in the lock!! And the other thing was that she could hear shooting in the surrounding fields - and it really scares her so I think she just feels safer on the boat.

As we went under Dunton Wharf Bridge, on the towpath side, a blocked arm is crossed by a very corroded metal roving bridge. Apparently this was the location of Dunton Wharf, where vessels would have loaded and unloaded goods. The arm points towards a group of modern industrial buildings. There are also some 19th century cottages but they appear not to be connected with the canal.

After we had reached the top of the flight we went through the very short Curdworth tunnel (52 Metres) and moored not far after Curdworth Church Bridge.

Car shuffle time - we walked back down to where we had been moored to fetch the car and move it along with us, but thought it only polite to nip in for a cheeky pint :)

Paul will stay here till Friday while I go back to Derby - and we will move again on Saturday.

What a great day - we are really enjoying The Birmingham and Fazeley canal so far! and I think the sunshine makes you feel that much better :)

More pictures on Instagram