Hopwas

Only a short hop of three miles today. The remains of the early morning mist were soon burnt off by the sun and just after breakfast we were underway. We met one or two boats on the way, mainly in the narrow or shallow sections. Just as we were approaching the Whittington Military Range we spotted a familiar boat, nb Telemachus moored. A quick blast on the klaxon resulted in a wave from the crew on board as we passed by. The visitor mooring at Hopwas was empty so we picked our spot and secured the boat. The furry crew member was then left on board whilst we visited the Tame Otter P.H. for lunch. Just one night will be spent here before we attended our boat's home port of Glascote Basin tomorrow.

   

 

• Totals 3 Miles
• Running total 371 Miles 214 Locks 14 Tunnels 

Hopwas

Last night under a clear sky the temperature dropped quite a bit, so this morning we woke to a heavy mist hanging over the canal, and frost on the ground. We set off just before 10 am, the sun was doing its best to break through. We made good progress to Glascote, on the edge of Tamworth. On the approach to Glascote top lock we moored up to fill with water. It was sad to see what was a busy bustling boatyard now laying quite and nearly empty.

       

                            Passing the entrance to Glascote Basin where Achernar was built.

       

                                   Nb Clara - probably the last Hudson Boat to be completed.

Glascote locks are renowned for filling slowly, so it was about 25 mins before we were through the pair. Once past the entrance to Glascote Basin we were travelling on new water, for us and the boat. A mile beyond the locks we entered Fazeley Junction. This is where the Coventry Canal joins with the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal. Left is towards Birmingham, and right, the way we were going is towards the Trent and Mersey Canal at Fradley.

       

                                               Straight on for us towards Fradley.

       

                                             The route into Birmingham City Centre.

We were planning to moor up just beyond the junction but it was quite full, and then suitable mooring spots for our fairly deep drafted boat were few and far between. In the end, we reached the village of Hopwas and decided to stop here for the day. Our decision was based partly on the fact that it is nice place, but also because we know this is the location of the Tame Otter P.H. and they do good food. So all moored up now and evening meal booked.

        

We are on 48 hour visitor moorings here, but are only stopping one night before we head off to Huddlesford Junction some 4 miles away. 

Totals 10 Miles 2 Locks