Rules are to be broken, so it seems.

So first a rant. Whilst moored, boat engines can ONLY be run between 8am in the morning and 8pm at night. To the majority of boaters, this is common knowledge. But obviously, there are still those that flaunt the rules and the owners of Nb Columbus was no exception. 10pm their engine was fired into life! Hmmm, what possible reason could anyone have to start the engine at that time of night? By 11pm Ian had had enough. Of he goes to ask angrily very politely to turn the bl**dy thing off. A man staggered out followed by his equally inebriated wife and said he had no power to lights or telly and the engine had to go on.  I will not repeat what Ian said but needless to say, all went very quiet after that.

Before leaving Brum we walked to Tesco. Could we find it??? No! It was definitely there 2 years ago but it is no more. Instead, a Gym is in its place. Further along the road, I happened to spy a Morrisons. Thank goodness for that although we did know of a Spar slightly nearer to the canal. Too expensive to shop at this store being cheapskates that we are.

Returning to FS and C&RT is doing a canal cleanup in their workboat. Nothing unusual about that except this workboat is brand new and electric! The chap on the helm said as far as he knows this is the only electric workboat in the country. Well well, good on C&RT I say. Ian did ask what would happen if he ran out of battery power. His retort? Bow hauling the rest of the way!

Turned right at Old Turn Junction onto the Worcester and Birmingham canal. Left is Farmer's bridge locks.

 Lots of new regeneration around the Birmingham area although I'm not a fan of these new high rise designs but anything is better than the old factories left to deteriorate.

That black and white building is new.

Although this building next to the Mail Box has been around for a while.

And for those who have children or grandchildren, a new Lego Land has sprung up opposite Sea Life.

 A massive Police presence was at the ICC. Next weekend the Conservative Party Conference is being held there and for any boaters wanting to travel through the Birmingham area, all will have to be prepared to stop and have the boat searched by sniffer dogs.

Having set off in the dry it wasn't long before the drizzle started. The nearer we could get to the Lapworth Flight the better so we stuck it out until mid-afternoon. The Junction at Kings Norton had to be negotiated and coming from Birmingham and turning left was a right pain. The wind died down enough not to hinder the manoeuvre but a slight nudge on the far bank whilst doing the turn was inevitable.

Turning at Kings Norton Junction. That's the guillotine lock in the distance

Difficult turn from the bridge onto the Stratford Canal

  Guillotine lock by Kings Norton junction is even more covered in graffiti than last time. What a shame these structures are defaced by morons.

Looking back

Brandwood tunnel. Not sure if the inset above is of Shakespear.

Didn't expect to see a lifeboat on the Stratford canal!

 From the annoying drizzle we endured for several hours the heavens opened and we called it a day. Didn't quite make the Shirley Draw Bridge, that will be done tomorrow. (Another mechanised bridge where the traffic has to be stopped). We lit the fire, first time this Autumn so now nice and cosy and warm. Strictly starts tonight and I am so looking forward to the start of this series.

And seen on route,