Friday 11 September 2015

Back on the narrow canals - up the Stratford Canal

On the Grand Union above Hatton

Shrewley Tunnel with towpath tunnel
 After yesterday's exertions today was quieter.  We left the Hatton flight moorngs at 8:40 and cruised towards Birmingham in unexpectedly (to us) nice scenery and sunny weather.  Early on we passed through Shrewley Tunnel with its unique (as far as I can recollect) separate tunnel for the towpath.  The canal tunnel was fairly wet, I suspect the towpath tunnel wouldnt be any better.
Densie entering Lock 19 on the Lapworth Flight
At Kingswood Junction we left the wide Grand Union and returned to the narrow canals joining the Stratford Canal which links Birmingham and Stratford on Avon..  The journey into Birmingham starts with 19 locks of the Lapworth flight.  These, being narrow locks, are much easier and quicker to operate than the wide locks on the Grand Union.  We moored up after ascending 6 locks where a gap between locks leaves space for visitor moorings.  In total a journey of 5.5 miles and 6 locks in 3.5 hours.

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