Birmingham - centre of the canal network |
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according to the sign between Brindley Place and Gas Street
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 and here is the central island, complete with signpost. |
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although we couldn't have explored all of it if we had wanted to. (It's the season of stoppages!) |
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| Some industry still
borders the canal - though most has closed down.
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The New Main Line is very straight and pretty boring.
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until you come to interesting navigational challenges like this!! |
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and an aqueduct. |
There's even a mini tunnel
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| We moored opposite a building site - but they
didn't start piledriving until 8am.
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Susan's birthday was celebrated with cards and a balloon...
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...and a visit from The Firm!
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who spent the whole time discussing work- honestly! |
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The centre of Brum is a glorious mishmash of old and new - some very new!! |
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 The Rep and the Millennium flame. |
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Vicky - who doesn't quite approve! |
 Forward! |
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Thomas Attwood was just sitting here quietly when...... |
 ........ don't you just hate people reading over your shoulder!
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 Who's that ugly great brute over
there?
No - not Alan, I mean the Iron Man. |
 We got to know this area rather well - we walked through it at least once a day whilst we were here. The concert hall is magnificent - great acoustics. |
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 The Cathedral - more like a
parish church really - very welcoming. |
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Lots of new buildings have gone up around the canal area - still with sculptures and fountains everywhere. |
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 This is the NIA - the Davis cup was on - hence the bunting. (it's union flags - sorry, rather blurred. The main flags were at half mast because of the death of Princess Margaret. |
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The Way Out
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- past the Sherborne Street
Loop. Currently this is blocks off and partly drained so that they can finish building yet
more smart new ! |
Until I had to make a trip to Tescos through the Ladywood estate, I hadn't taken in the contrast between all the upmarket building on the canal frontage and the situation a street or two away!! The doctor's surgery was surrounded with razor wire!! I just hope the planners aren't causing huge volumes of resentment in the area - could be a powder keg!!!
Old Turn Junction. |
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Past the canal entrance to the ICC - we know that bit well, too. |
Towards Broad Street Bridge and Gas Street Basin. |
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under the bridge.... |
....and into the basin. Ro and Michael ought to remember this part before it was redeveloped. This the scene of The Great Pigeon Rescue!! (That was in the days of Celandine, the previous boat and involved the use of a slightly dodgy inflatable!)
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Gas Street Basin |
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and yet more sculpture round the bend. |
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Past the University. |
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and Cadburys |
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Where even the railway station has a corporate identity!!
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and the exit has a canal and railway theme. |
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We left in the gloaming and moored in the dark that night, due to threats of unpleasant behaviour from the locals. |
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