We have just been out on Joanna for a few days.
Sunday 24 December. Went from Sherborne Wharf to Alvechurch. Cold, overcast and still. It was slow going along the W&B which always seems surprisingly shallow and the bridge oles choked. Got completely stuck where the railway crosses the canal at Selly Oak - entertainment for the towpath walkers and cyclists. Anyway, got free eventually. We always enjoy coming out of Wast Hill tunnel into the Worcestershire countryside. Stopped briefly at Hopwood for lunch and then headed for Alvechurch. The 48 hour moorings near the Crown were full of boats which had probably been there for some time and we had to tie up near the Alvechurch hire base. Saw a kingfisher near here, in fact we went right past it without it flying away - amazing colours. Monday 25 December. Boated to Tardebigge and then back to Hopwood. There was a workboat moored in the middle of Tardebigge tunnel, which turned out to be Santa's Grotto ( and I thought it was in Lapland) and the tunnel thereafter was festooned with lights, which disappointingly were not on, and I could not see the switch either. Only one other boat moving. Tuesday 26 December. Back to Sherborne. Passed two boats today. Got stuck again at Selly Oak, and then had to clear a lot of plastic bags off the prop. Plenty of people on the towpath - at the Brum end seemingly heading for the Mailbox and the sales. Back to the yard, tidied up and off to stay with friends in Solihull. Festive greetings to all. Mike and Jo Nb Joanna [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
