Winson Green Bridge

Early on Saturday Will and Vicky set off for the station. A short tram journey took them straight to New Street Station where Vicky saw the raging mechanical bull for the first time. Unfortunately it wasn't due to come to life until after Vicky's train had left. But Will did manage to video it and send it to her to cheer her up.

After another walk round town Will wandered back to Rainboat and prepared for the day's journey. Navigation alone, he went on a very circuitous route to ensure all parts of the canal get covered. Having finished the Oozells Street Loop, traversed the Icknield Port Loop and returned to Gas Street Basin, he reversed into the Mailbox Arm and was ready to actually make some progress!

He went back down the Birmingham Main Line and eventually turned onto the Soho Loop, going past Winson Green Prison. Steering was becoming more and more difficult and when going up the Hockley Port Arm he didn't manage to make the turn cleanly, bouncing off the bank by the bridge! He eventually managed to get back on to the main line and moored by Winson Green Bridge. By this time, Rainboat's reverse wasn't working at all. 😬 When he checked the weed hatch, the faux leather jacket and a lot of other debris wrapped round the prop explained the steering difficulties.

On the second evening around 9pm there was a knock on the window. He opened the door to a rather unkempt man who pleaded for something to eat. Will sent him on his way with a cheese sandwich and packet of hobnobs and decided it best to move on the following day.Read more