Looking Back at our first Canal Cruise

We'd hired three narrow boats which were quickly filled, Goose, Owl and Warbler, 70’ in length.

The cruise started on Friday afternoon from Alvechurch Marina, after a detailed hand-over, supplies stored and berths allocated, it was full steam ahead to our first evening's mooring. It was just 2 miles to Hopwood House our hostelry for the night, adjacent to the A441 with good food and drinks. Then back to the boats some 8 steps and a hop! for our first nights sleep! Which I have to say was very comfortable and quiet.

We awoke to a cold day, but a clear blue sky. We departed for Birmingham and breakfasted whilst on our flat water passage! The countryside was a delight, with the spring blossom in everywhere, this vista continued all our way into Birmingham.
We tried to locate our route to known roads and landmarks, not easy, this is a different world. Travelling at 2-3 mph was very relaxing with the occasional drinks and biscuits on the way. The towpath along our route was very well kept, several walkers kept pace with us and the accompanying banter made our passage more enjoyable.

Then came the Wast Hill Tunnel some 2493m in length and built in 1796. This 2-way tunnel was a great experience, a little scary and quite a challenge if you are claustrophobic, would we ever get out? I imagined it collapsing and a brass plaque “Here lyeth several members of an Offshore Cruise Association” explain that in years to come.

The tunnel due to its age, leaked, quite a downpour in places. Mike aboard Owl, had the wisdom to bring an umbrella, good idea as we needed it! The literal light at the end of the tunnel was never so true, it’s very dark in there. Some crew thought it best to walk over the tunnel rather than motor through it. We saw them again at the exit, in fact they were faster than us!

Clearing the tunnel we headed towards the industrial parts of Birmingham passing through Bournville and the newly built QE Hospital surrounded by the extensive University of Birmingham campus, where we encountered numerous joggers and cyclists on route with various levels of fitness. In training perhaps?

With the Mail Box and the Cube Building in sight and creating a wind tunnel, the wind found us. With a 70’ high sided boat, it’s not easy negotiating the sharp left into Brindley Place. I marked the canal side for future navigation! After a tight u turn next to the ICC we made our way to our mooring below the Cube

The other two boats (Goose and Warbler) continued towards Smethwick to get some lock experience. They returned to the Mail Box area, both moored outside the Gas Street Bar, where we all met up for a well earned pre-dinner drink while watching the Rugby.

We dined at Cote’ at the Mail Box. It was a great success with good food, attentive service and a warm atmosphere. There followed evening drinks and nibbles aboard the party boat Goose. We were surprised and pleased that all the moorings were fairly quiet overnight, mind you it was pretty cold that night so sensible people were indoors.

Morning arrived in sleepy Birmingham, with blue skies, but still very cold out of the sun, with water tanks filled we started our cruise back to Alvechurch Marina, at about 11am with breakfast again on route.

We encountered a lot more walkers, joggers and cyclists, ideal for it as it was a fresh, bright, Sunday morning. In no time we were back at the tunnel entrance. It didn’t seem so long this time, however to our horror we encountered another boat coming from the opposite direction, surprisingly we passed each other easier than we thought.

Just before the Marina we moored using our new mooring spike and hammer skills. After lunch on board, we visited The Crown for a refreshing drink or two.

Back at the Marina we rafted next to Goose, Warbler had continued past the Marina to explore further afield.

After securing our boats and collecting our belongings we said our farewells. This time, unlike our usual journey from the coast we had just a short journey home.

I believe we had a good time, a new experience and fortunately fine weather although chillingly cold. Would we do it again? I think so, why not! Give it a try.

PS Interesting points

- The berths have a full depth mattress like home, very comfortable.
- These boats are called narrow boats for one reason, they are narrow, and very long!
- Even with all the handling skills you have developed, you will hit the bank and mark the boat.
- The fenders are only 2’’ in diameter and solid, we found that amusing.