Hopwood – Birmingham Bourneville (Thur 1st Aug)








Left at 11:00 arrived at 13:30.

I had a bad night ,( restless achey leg syndrome)which in the end disturbed Derek, I got up and had a warm drink and then cat napped till time for Derek to get up, those peskey dogs don’t need a watch, 6 30 Dad up!!!   Let the kids stay in bed, I finished mhy book about a rescued cat, cried at the end and had a read of the paper.  9ish Charlotte was up, could be something to do with Grandad starting the engine to fire up the water heater ??   Amelia up for 9 30, we are off to Kings Norton for provisions and on to the Bourneville Mooring Site. Just as we set off wed came to West Hill Tunnel, 2762 yards long and room for two boats to pass.  Charlotte was out of the shower, Amelia in her pyjamas, was going in after going through the shower.  We sat if the cratch to enjoy the tunnel, it was great, very dirty on the walls with limescale stalegtites in places and I thought  I saw a couple of bats.  We thought we could see the end light, it wasn’t , it was a boat coming very slowly towards us, with all its lights on, very eerie as you cant see thats its moving closer, almost  till its upon you.  2 boats passed by very carefully, then we could still see an odd shape in front, it was a little hire boat going the same way. As we came out it was like an opening into a sultry tropical world, it was very warm and looking back to the tunnel entrance, it was hung in vine like plants and  ferns like a forrest.  The water is certainly telling us a tale, loads of rubbish, hit a palette in the tunnel, and a gate complete with hinges floated by, we’re obviously nearing a city.  Me and the girls went to a little shop whilst Derek did the water, its a bit scary round here, a lovely new fence alongside the canal was covered in graffiti, not very good I might say, and some of the natives look a little dubious.  The shop was nice and we got enough basics and lollies and went back to the boat.  Its now nearing 30 in the cratch and very very sticky.  Derek and I are not sure about staying in Birmingham after the girls go on Saturday.  We set off for Bourneville, but Derek thinking we may just skirt past and visit outer parts of Birmingham, then moor there tonight, his cunning plan, see how it goes.  At the Bourneville Moorings, its even scarier than we thought, very scruffy.  There is a black railing round a space for 3 boats (one already there ) opposite warehouses with broken windows and of course the usual graffiti, even the water is like black ink.  Derek thought as the space was so small we better stay.  The sign at the side of the moorings states as urban area thieves are operating in the area, so take any valuables with you, how are you supposed to do that??   Derek is staying with the boat tomorrow and guarding it and the dogs and me and the kids are going to Cadbury World.  Looking of the web site we rang up and booked our tour, 9 20 so the kids need to be up and at em.  When we come back, we are planning to go for a ride into Birmingham City to see whats there, so Derek and I will be planning another way home, then heading back to Hopwood to moor, ready for Chris to pick up kids on Saturday.  Its near the motorway and easier to park and take them and their belongings to  the car.  It has been a meltingly hot day today and we have all lazed about (I put a few finishing touches on picture plaques and washed some bits and pieces)  We were all trying to avoid the sun and were really pleased it wasn’t like this yesterday on Tardebigge, it would have been a disaster.  I tried to send several texts today but the network seems to be having a bad day too, not much luck with most of them.  We had a lovely tea in the boat and drank lots of cool drinks, oh and ate strawberries and grapes after Derek went to the Co. Op for more drinks and stuff. 

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