Moving again on the BCN.

1 Lock, 3.64 Miles. Now moored at Windmill End Junction.

Our stay at “The Waterfront” at Merry Hill wasn’t what you could call pleasurable with both of us being laid low by a virus. We did manage a bit of sightseeing before being confined to bed for a day and a half. Surviving on 3 pieces of dry toast each for 48 hours wasn’t a good way to lose those few extra pounds gained over Christmas.

This sculpture at Merry Hill showing the art of 'legging' a boat through a canal tunnel

This morning however we were feeling a bit more alive so ventured down to Sainsbury’s for a few necessities. We had just about completed our shopping when the Merry Hill shopping complex fire alarm went off and we all had to evacuate the building. A solitary fire engine arrived after about 20 minutes and left again within about 15 minutes but we were still waiting around in the car park for 30 minutes after the firemen had left. Once back inside we quickly finished our shopping and headed back to the boat.

Blowers Green Pumphouse alongside the deepest lock on the BCN

Both Derek and Carrie agreed that staying at the Waterfront for the week-end wasn’t a good plan being opposite 2 potentially noisy pubs so we slipped our moorings and headed back to our present location. We had planned to go on to Hawne Basin but due to the delay at the supermarket we opted to carry on to there tomorrow. No point in rushing when you don’t have to!

Location of the former Brewins Tunnel on the Dudley Canal No 2

2110 locks, 4151.31 miles, 83 tunnels, 130 swing bridges and 58 lift bridges since Nov 2006