Avoiding the rain

Wednesday 18^th October; Birmingham to King’s Norton

Dave considered whether to go and move the car today, as we’re near the stations.  We looked at the forecast and thought of where we would want to be the next few nights, and then decided driving down the M6 from Stafford to Droitwich in today's likely weather would not be ideal!  So the car stays at Great Haywood for a few days yet.  Meanwhile there was activity on the water.

Dave had to do a double-take as this noble, muscular, tattooed form sailed into view apparently without support!  The Urban Litter Boat was out of sight below the window.

 

Two less godlike figures at the stern

We needed to buy supplies, and decided we would at least get as far as Sainsbury’s in Selly Oak, so I quickly walked Meg to the turn by the Sea Life centre to dispose of some aluminium cans in the recycling bin.  At the turn CRT have painted their message on the steps down from Ed’s Diner.

The two boats moored opposite had just gone, but with no locks planned for today we weren’t bothered that we might be following them.  Mike (Alchemy) must have already left to get his car.

The run down to the Mailbox was surprisingly not windy, even the bit near the far end where the cross-winds can be fierce.  It was even calm as we turned the corner and started the run down through Edgbaston.  It wasn’t particularly cold, and the forecast rain didn’t materialise either.  The wind was getting up though, and the basin area that has been constructed at Selly Oak was really catching it.  But we made it through the bridge without incident, and moored up for a quick trip to Sainsbury’s.

It was lunchtime when we got back to the boat, and the rain was just starting.  We decided to eat and see what the weather would do.  We are under trees here, but if it was belting down after lunch, we would stay put till later.  But it wasn’t, it was still very light, so we put the full gear on, got the brolly out, and set off again.  It was a good decision – although there was a short spell of heavier rain, it was mostly either light or had stopped.  Past Bournville we went, with its Cadbury Purple paint on the station, though sadly without the wonderful aroma of chocolate today, and on to King’s Norton junction.  The toll house restoration seems to be complete, with the brickwork and paintwork all clean, new windows (heavily barred on the ground floor) and the garden now cleared, laid to lawn and with an ugly security fence.

High security

I wonder how it will be used?  There is no road access, unless the temporary bridge across the stream for the renovation works is made permanent.  At present this part is still fenced off.

We picked a mooring spot at King’s Norton with rings, and without overhanging trees.  Meg’s nose had been whiffling furiously from several hundred yards before the junction bridge, so as it was still not raining we took her for a play in the park.  She loves it here.

More ball throwing please Dad

We were back well before the rain eventually started at getting on for 6.  It was horrible outside for the rest of the evening and we were glad to be tucked up nice and warm  (though someone - not me! - did of course have to take Meg out at bedtime.)

5½ miles, Edgbaston tunnel