We rose early and set off just after 8:15, immediately passed through the Shirley lift bridge and then breakfasted on the move in two shifts. The beauty about cruising this stretch early on a Sunday morning is most of the local oiks are still abed. However we did pass through all manner of flotsam and jetsam between Shirley and Kings Norton which served as evidence of their existence. Passed Blue Moon moored at Lions boatyard, obviously occupied (unlocked) but no sign of life. We turned south at the junction and headed for Wasts Hill tunnel. The damp state of the Northbound craft prompted me to don my waterproof jacket and Brenda to take up her normal position in the bows armed with a whistle. We have a system, you see, when there is a lot of water coming from the roof she blows the whistle from inside the open front door and I then take avoiding action so that I do not cop the lot whilst stood prone on the rear deck. It works well and generally takes about six seconds after the whistle for the downpour to appear at the blunt end. We met two Northbound boats inside the tunnel, the first had his solid fuel stove working that filled the tunnel with thick acrid smoke, I'm glad I wasn't steering his boat as the draught would have been blowing it all in his face for the entire tunnel. When we appeared out of the southern portal the sky was a lot darker than when we'd entered 30 minutes beforehand. We took on water before the bridge at Hopwood and then decide to visit the Hopwood Arms for lunch. This establishment has been completely re-furbished since my last visit having no separate bars any more and concentrating on being a food pub instead. It was heaving with customers today. Luckily Brenda found an empty table whilst I got the drinks, so we ordered our food soon after we sat down. It was almost an hour before the food arrived but it was very well prepared for pub grub, Brenda said that it was the best cooked steak she'd had for a long time. On completion of the main course we enquired of the waitress how long a dessert order was taking until delivery and she replied 10 minutes. Ok, so we ordered a dessert but got up and cancelled the order after waiting for 25 minutes, I paid for the main course and we left. The waiter accepting payment stated "I've just been into the kitchen and we're two chefs short today". That's funny because I'd just spent almost two hours watching him go in and out of the kitchen since we'd arrived. Next Saturday marks the start of another week on Jannock, hoping to do some of the BCN and experience the nightlife of central Brum before having to return to Braunston for blacking on the Friday.
Graham www.jannock.org.uk
