Into the World of Chocolate

We were up early with a long day ahead... It was raining outside but the forecast was good so we headed off through the centre of Birmingham. It did seem a bit weird travelling on the canal in the city centre as we had always had to walk it before now. We headed out past the college and through Edgbaston tunnel and on towards Bourneville. We did meet a obstruction where they are building a new aqueduct in the construction of a new road at Selly Oak. It was very tight for us to get through but we managed it without hitting anything. We were lucky enough to get one of the secure moorings at Bourneville, as two boats doing a charity run for Cadbury's had just come off it.After mooring up we then gave Cadbury's a quick ring and booked in to Cadbury World.

It is only a short walk to the main entrance and the super chocolate smells, and we were able to walk straight in. After a couple of shows we then walked round the factory where we saw chocolate mixed, stirred and wrapped. The smell was just the best, but you couldn't take photos because the whole system and recipe was top secret, only six people know it. You then saw it packed into boxes and taken away by computer robots. You then went on a small ride which showed you the Cadbury story. We were able to sign our name in Chocolate and we even made a Easter egg of us both. (Yes! it was a big Easter Egg). But the best bit was where you made up your own chocolate bar with your own ingredients..Delicious!

The only disappointing thing is that there was not much mentioned about the canals part in the success of Cadbury's We were in there for four hours so it turned out to be a full day... We got back to Derwent6 and felt we wanted move on as the weather had got a lot better.

We carried on to the Kings Norton turn and then onto the north Stratford canal. The canal was full of rubbish through this section and we pressed on through Brandwood tunnel, not wanting to moor anywhere. We did have some kids throwing stones in the canal, but we never got any our way..... We did stop for water and we thought we saw some drug dealing going on. We eventually got out into the country and then got moored up at around 7.00pm. We manage to get telly and 3G for the election results which is what we watched till midnight, WITH SOME CHOCOLATE OF COURSE!!!

Birmingham Canal Network (BCN)

We left Dudley and the museum at around 9.00am as two hire boats were looking for moorings. We turned left to go down the Wolverhampton line to Birmingham. It started off very industrial and it wasn't long before we were passing the odd settee or telly in the canal. We soon got to the parts where it opened out a bit and then got to the M5. It was amazing how we were travelling under it and the old bridges of how it used to be still being there.It was exciting as we twisted and turned under the railway and motorway networks, but the canal network was the most interesting of all. We were going over and under other canals and at one point we were parallel with another one 30 feet below us. We soon dropped down three locks to join up with it, and at the junction this took us directly into the centre of Birmingham. We found a 14 day mooring and we had some lunch. We then went to go into The Sealife Centre but we found out our two for one vouchers had run out last year. We could have gone to WH Smiths and got some more or printed some off back on Derwent6 but decided to do it next time we are here..... Plenty of time!

We decided to have a walk around and ended up sitting in a bar and then going to the cinema to see "Date Night". Afterwards we made our way over to The Mailbox and went to Nando's ( we like Nando's) Then it was back in the bar and we sat by the canal people watching till our eyelids were starting to close. Still it was only a short walk round the cornier to Derwent6.

The Black Country Museum

We were up early due to us being on the water point all night, and there was one space opposite us up against the bridge wall, so we turned Derwent6 around and had a fried breakfast before the museum opened. We got our tickets and went through Dudley tunnel on the trip boat which took us to the caves. The boat was empty and the guy on the tiller let Del and Graham do some legging on the way out the tunnel. It was a fabulous trip and is highly recommended, you will not have done a tunnel like this one. We then went to The Black Country Museum and were blown away with the first view of the streets and house's as you were taken back in time. We felt like we were on Doctor Who it was so real. You were able to walk anywhere, in houses and back gardens in coal yards and shops. You could watch chains and nails being made and the sweet shop was to die for....You could even have Fish and Chips fried in beef dripping, just like they used to in the 1930's. We then went back to school and we went to a lesson. We then went down a coal mine which was great fun, it was only five foot high in places, Del and Maxine came out with backache. We got the tram and then went round the fairground. It was just a brilliant day!!!

When we got back to Derwent6 we had been moved forward...The guy on the boat behind us had made the decision to pull us forward because we were touching his boat, and in the process broken the chain on the stern button. He denied all knowledge of breaking anything even though a shackle had been removed. Keeping cool (because it's only a chain), the guy then decided he would be the one to move... Good job! but he did give us the V sign before he went into the distance! Nice fella!

Maxine and Graham then said their goodbye's, we had a great weekend with them, so thanks for everything both of you!!!

Del then repaired the button while Al made some phone calls and had a tidy up. We were worn out after a busy day so had a early night......

Wolverhampton twenty one

We woke up to a beautiful Bank Holiday Monday morning, and it was lovely in the sun, but a bit chilly in the shade. After bacon butty's we set off at around 9.30am. We soon got to the narrow cutting at Wolverhampton where for a small section there are passing places only. We then got to the Shroppie junction and it still wasn't very busy, it felt we had it all to ourselves. With the help of Maxine and Graham we attacked the Wolverhampton twenty one (21 locks).These had all been freshly painted and looked very pretty in places but you knew we were getting nearer to town.

When we got to the top Graham and Maxine took the tiller and we sat out in the cratch while we went through the industrial part of Wolverhampton. At one point the bow did rise out the water as we ran up over something, but the water seemed very clear through here. Graham then took us through Coseley Tunnel and we turned towards Dudley.

When we arrived at the entrance of Dudley tunnel, we stopped at the water point and topped up with water. There had been a historic tug weekend on at The Black Country Museum and there were no spaces in the secured mooring section. So we spoke to a few guys there and they advised us to stay on the water point as it was so late, as they would all be going early in the morning... so we did!

Graham then got a taxi to pick up their car back in Penkridge and then parked it in the secure parking area at Dudley. In the evening we sat in the cratch again eating, drinking and singing....Yep! another late night!

Gailey with extra crew

The weather was better than expected today so we set off through the lock with extra crew on board. We got water after a bit of a wait and then headed off out into the countryside. As it was Bank Holiday Sunday we passed a few fishing matches, but not many boats which seemed a bit strange.

After the drone of the M6 went away we soon got to Gailey lock and picked up another BCN key so we had a spare.

Graham then picked up the tiller and we steered our way through the twists and turns up to Cross Green where we stopped for a good lunch at The Fox and Anchor Inn.

After lunch we found a nice mooring out on our own again.. In the evening we drunk beer and wine (as friends do) with some reading and gaming!!!

New and Old Friends

We were surprised again to see bright sunshine this morning so we got up early and headed off to Market. In Penkridge they have a market every Saturday and what a market it is. They sell everything... the butcher in his van was auctioning things like packs of bacon to Rump steaks and also massive packs of mushrooms, pizza's, and raspberries just for a pound. We had a good look round and got back to Derwent6 around 1.00pm.

In the afternoon we cleaned up a bit and had a long chat to some new friends Gary and Bea on nb The Answer who were behind us, and we watched the traffic passing in and out of the lock in front of us. They very kindly helped us out by supplying us with a BCN lock key as they had a spare one, thanks guys!.

Late in the afternoon we were met by more friends, Maxine & Graham who had travelled from Kent to see us. We had booked a table in the village at Flames the Indian restaurant. We had a lovely meal and a good catch up with a few beers. Afterwards we made our way back to Derwent6 passed The Boat Inn where they were having a Disco. As we would have to listen to it anyway we joined in... We got back..........late!!!!!!!!