Birmingham, here we come

Wednesday 1st September 2021

Having arrived at Jannock yesterday afternoon and got things sorted out before parking the car, we left the marina this morning via the service area where we filled with diesel, replaced two empty gas cylinders and emptied the loo tank.

Out of the marina and hard left towards Hawkesbury Junction in another grey, dampish and cold day. Just like last September it seems. An un-eventful days cruising to Springwood Haven except for navigating the (aka Sutton’s stop) junction.

As we approached the lock it was being prepared for some-one coming up, across the grass we spied a working boat and butty just starting the turn into the Oxford. Quick, where’s the camera? It was Nuneaton and Brighton who are off to Braunston to load up before doing the usual South Oxford and Thames coal run. 

 

As Nuneaton came out of the lock, it was turned to allow Brighton to follow through whilst we waited patiently above. In the meantime three other boats that had been following them down the Coventry canal also turned into the area outside the Greyhound which meant that getting Jannock around the turn after we have passed through the lock was going to be fun.

 

Brenda managed to warn another boat who was thinking of passing under the bridge that it would be unwise to do so until at least one of the ascending boats had passed through the lock, luckily they took her advice and waited on the Coventry side of the junction.

 

Once through the lock Graham manged to get Jannock around the turn in one go avoiding all the floating obstacles in the way. We continued on to Springwood Haven where we moored for the night just past the marina.

Graham managed to wash Jannock’s very mucky starboard side using his new battery operated pressure washer taking water from the canal.

G&B