Spring Summer Cruse 2015 ❶❾

Hawne Basin to Oouzel Street loop.
Date 11 June 2015

Overnight the weather was overcast with a few light showers.

Morning:  We have been kicking our heels for a few days and this morning it was decided to set off again. An early breakfast saw us onto the services wharf. Filled up with diesel, had a pump out and exchanged an empty for a new gas bottle.

Afternoon: Just after lunch we waved goodbye to our friends and headed out onto the canal. Soon we were at the portal of Gosty Hill Tunnel. Its a tunnel with lost of variation. high bits, low bits, tight bits and slightly wider bits. As well as a few little twists and turns.

On this trip we would do the Gosty Hill Tunnel 563 yards long, Netherton Tunnel 3027 yards long and Galton Tunnel 122 yards long.

It was noticeable that the closer to the basin the better the waterway becomes. As we gradually approached windmill end. There was an increasing amount of rubbish in the water. As we turned towards Netherton tunnel it was necessary to have a trip down the weed hatch. A carrier bag full of detritus was removed. Consisting of fishing line, miscellaneous bits of cable, bits of rope and the usual multi-coloured collection of plastic bags. We passed three boats going the other way in the tunnel.

At 3pm on the exit of the tunnel and it was time for a late lunch. Before we set off again towards Birmingham. We had to withdraw from one of the narrow passages between Dudley Port Junction and Albion Junction due to some object on the bottom blocking our way. We ended up taking the alternative passage.

Evening: We arrived in Birmingham in the early evening and found a few empty mooring spaces just inside the Oouzel Street Loop. Surprisingly good TV signal despite being surrounded by high buildings. Ouzel street does not get a lot of footfall and is amongst the quieter moorings.

Wildlife:
Birds: House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Dunnock, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Rook, Blackbird, Mallard, Mute Swan, Goldfinch, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch, Robin, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Pied Wagtail, Coot, Moorhen, Canadian Goose, Kingfisher, Grey Heron, Wood Pigeon,  Herring Gull, Greater Black Backed Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Black Headed Gull,  Swallow, House Martin, Swift and the highlight being a pair of Kittiwakes. We also had a fleeting glance at what looked to be a white winged black tern. I have not seen one in the UK for over 5 years.


Butterflies: Meadow Brown, Common White,  Red Admiral and Orange Tip 
Dragonflies: Common Blue Damselfly.
Fauna: Fox

 

Today's Total.

Miles: 12.6
Locks: 0
Swing / Lift Bridges: 0
Tunnels: 3
Pump Outs: 1
Engine Hours: 5.5
Solar Panels: 473 Ah

Accumulated Total.
Miles: 2217.9
Locks: 1355
Swing / Lift Bridges: 299
Tunnels: 44
Pump Outs: 23
Engine Hours: 3176.5
Solar Panels: 21210 Ah 
74 Litres of Diesel.