It seems one dog had a very lucky escape early this morning. Ian had unlocked the hatch and stuck his head out when a couple dressed in their night clothes came up to him clutching a very wet and bedraggled German Shepherd X breed. Because we had 'and dogs' on the side of our boat they thought that maybe the dog belonged to us. It still had a flexi lead attached to its collar and the couple said that this undoubtedly saved the dogs life. Apparently the couple living in the flats had heard a commotion outside their bedroom window. Looking out and noticing water movement coming from under one of the pontoons they rushed out and saw a lead floating in the water, grabbing hold of it they pulled a dog out from underneath the boards. Any longer submerges like that and it would have been a goner so the gods were shinning on that dog today The dog seemed none the worse for wear and trotted off quite happily with the couple when they set of on a quest to find the owner. I wonder if the dogs name was Lucky!
Having walked into the center for a bit of shopping we finally set off toward the Black Country Museum by 11ish. Saying farewell to Roger and Pat ( who gave us a parting gift of a T Bone steak bone for Jade ) we were soon on the outskirts of Brum. We had a slight problem with the prop when it started whistling, chirping and vibrating quite badly causing Ian some concern but putting the throttle into hard reverse seemed to cure it. We came across a towpath closure and wandered why it was closed. It all became clear when we realised the factory wall had collapsed taking the finger post down with it.
Traveling along the Birmingham Level Main line we passed the Smethwick Pumping station and Bromford Junction with Spon lane locks in the distance.
At Albion Junction we turned left onto the Gower Branch and Brades Locks the only three locks we had to do today. It was as we rose up the first of the locks that Ian told me how low the next pound was. I only just managed to get the boat out of the lock, scrapping the cill along the length of the hull. Having all that wood on our roof certainly didn't help matters! With the next 2 locks being staircase locks, and with both being empty I just about scrapped into the first and then had to wait while Ian filled the second for me to continue the journey up.
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| Scrapping bottom all the way |
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| It's a long way down |
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| Jade wanting to get back on. |
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| Brades staircase lock |
Turning right onto the Wolverhampton Level we only had another 2 miles to go before we turned left at Tipton Junction and Dudley. As usual for the Black Country Museum the moorings were almost full. One spot was available before the tunnel trip boats so after winding Ian reversed it back. Not an ideal spot for getting on and off but okay for Jade as she could shimmy under the bars.
So having purchased our tickets we went for a wander round the museum. First port of call was at the famous fish and chip shop and of course a visit to the pub for a quick half. Even though we have visited this place many a time, we never tire of it always noticing something new. It's well worth a visit if your ever in the area. The rain started as we made our way back to the boat and then noticed a boat had left its mooring further along so, even though it was tipping it down, we moved to claim that spot.
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| Submerged hulls |
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| Chain maker |
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| Kildare and President on the left |
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| And looking from the other direction |
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| Quite drink in the pub. Notice the sawdust on the floors. |
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| After the rain storm came the sunshine. |
And finally:-
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