Black Country Ring (plus a bit):
Birmingham to Curdworth
9 June 2009
![](../../images/2009/2009-06/2009-06-09-093052.jpg)
The sun is shining as we begin our long descent from the Birmingham
level, starting with the 13 locks of the Farmers Bridge flight.
![](../../images/2009/2009-06/2009-06-09-093102.jpg)
The flight is a real mixture of modern housing, 20th-century office
buildings and the remains of heavy industry.
![](../../images/2009/2009-06/2009-06-09-094522.jpg)
Alan at the tiller with Merry as we descend towards the BT Tower
![](../../images/2009/2009-06/2009-06-09-095034.jpg)
Modern apartments have here been built out over the side pond
![](../../images/2009/2009-06/2009-06-09-095644.jpg)
Helen, Sheila and Jane work the lock with Alan at the tiller: Lucy is on
ahead helping the boat ahead so they don't delay our progress.
![](../../images/2009/2009-06/2009-06-09-100408.jpg)
Behind Sheila is the brick wall typical of the old Birmingham Canal
Navigations, behind which all the canals used to hide: behind it is a
bright new building, a decaying old one, and lots of open space from
demolished industry.
![](../../images/2009/2009-06/2009-06-09-100434.jpg)
Continuing the descent
![](../../images/2009/2009-06/2009-06-09-101542.jpg)
Here the lock is in a little tunnel
![](../../images/2009/2009-06/2009-06-09-101650.jpg)
Emerging from the lock-in-a-tunnel, looking down on the next which is in
a cavern under a tall office building
![](../../images/2009/2009-06/2009-06-09-102222.jpg)
A slightly tricky manoeuvre as Mary moves over in the tight space to
allow a boat coming up to pass us.
![](../../images/2009/2009-06/2009-06-09-102656.jpg)
After the lock-in-a-tunnel, the lock under a building.
![](../../images/2009/2009-06/2009-06-09-102647.jpg)
Helen and Lucy prepare the next lock for us - in the open air at last
![](../../images/2009/2009-06/2009-06-09-103546.jpg)
![](../../images/2009/2009-06/2009-06-09-104434.jpg)
Emerging from the huge Snow Hill railway station bridge, we reach the
last lock.
![](../../images/2009/2009-06/2009-06-09-115728.jpg)
After a very short respite, the locks of the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal
continue with the eleven locks of the Aston flight, which take us past a
mixture of active and derelict industry. But even in dereliction, nature
can provide beauty.
![](../../images/2009/2009-06/2009-06-09-115855.jpg)
A modern office development with a decorative fake lock.
![](../../images/2009/2009-06/2009-06-09-121405.jpg)
A decorative wall brightens the scene a little
![](../../images/2009/2009-06/2009-06-09-122624.jpg)
Lucy waits for the last of the eleven locks to empty
![](../../images/2009/2009-06/2009-06-09-142447.jpg)
We cross the River Tame and approach the M6 and the eastern tail of
Gravelly Hill Interchange, better known as Spaghetti Junction.
![](../../images/2009/2009-06/2009-06-09-142544.jpg)
From the Tame Aqueduct, the pillars of Spaghetti Junction are reflected
in the River Tame under the bridge of the A5127 Lichfield Road.
![](../../images/2009/2009-06/2009-06-09-142741.jpg)
Hidden almost beneath the M6 motorway is this canal "crossroads" where
the Tame Valley joins the Birmingham & Fazeley from the west, and the
Birmingham & Warwick Junction Canal heads off towards London to the
south. Our way lies along the Birmingham & Fazeley.
![](../../images/2009/2009-06/2009-06-09-142857.jpg)
Looking up the Warwick & Birmingham Junction Canal, otherwise known as
the Saltley Cut of the Grand Union Canal.
![](../../images/2009/2009-06/2009-06-09-184245.jpg)
After five more miles and three more locks, we reach the short Curdworth
Tunnel where we stop for the night.
![](../../images/2009/2009-06/2009-06-09-190227.jpg)
Off to the pub for dinner
![](../../images/2009/2009-06/2009-06-09-191607.jpg)
The White Horse at Curdworth.
Total for today: 8 miles, 5¾ furlongs including 27 locks
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