Before leaving Cuckoo Wharf we filled with water. The plan was to do 3 locks today and hope to get as far as Curdworth.
Approaching Salford Junction where we skirt round the edge of the more famous Gravelly Hill Interchange aka Spaghetti Junction.
It's Minworth for us.
No sooner are we out of the motorway maize than we encounter what seems like the national grid.
We start edging towards the countryside.
At the start of Minworth Locks we meet a working coal boat.
And another....
with its butty waiting behind.
Butty boats do not have engines and have to be 'bow hauled' into the lock.
The main boat has reversed back to the lock and is waiting to hook up and pull it out.
and off they go towards Birmingham for supplies of coal,gas and fuel to supply us boaters.
Two more Jules Fuels boats at the next lock.
We decided to moor at Minworth Green
Next up is Cudworth flight of 11 and its very busy!!!
Its a very pretty flight each lock with its own marker of wild flowers.
The team of 4 volunteers get us down to lock 6 ......eventually!!!!
Such a shame that HS2 is planned to disturb this lovely countryside.... that's progress.....
We throw in the towel after lock 8 and have us some late lunch at the Dog & Goublet . The flowers were also ready for a good drink.
After resting overnight we take on the last 5 locks
The disused swing bridge has been made a floral feature.
All together very pretty.
RSPB Nature Reserve developed from former gravel workings.
Drayton foot bridge, a gothic folly which can lay claim to being one of the 'little wonders' of the inland waterways. It also gives access to Drayton Manor Theme Park.
Plain sailing to Fazeley Junction where we take a right onto the Coventry Canal
So the B & F is complete - 15 miles and 38 locks.
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