Half way to the top.

We pulled away just as another boat came into view astern. Our pontoon buddy of last night had left about 45 mins before us. It turns out that it was a good job we got ahead of them as they were still at the bottom lock when we were clearing the third lock.

This Saltley Cut of the Grand Union is not the most picturesque part of the canal system but it seems that C&RT are making a real effort as the lock areas are clean as a whistle and it certainly looks like the water is clearer too. It is a shame that surrounding businesses can't do their bit too.  These rail bridges make for dark passages.

Once starting up the Garrison Locks the footpaths are in good condition and the industry on the sides of the canal form canyons.

Even in the roughest environments nature puts on a great display of blossom. Helen brings 'Holderness' in.

Bordeley Junction. We had just popped out from under the bridge. To the right is the bottom lock of the Camp Hill Flight. This must be just about the most insalubrious junction on the system.

On the left is Fellows, Morton and Clayton's warehouse that is now the Bond and looks to have a lovely restaurant. The coloured buildings in the distance are buildings of Birmingham University. If you look carefully low down there is the old Curzon Street Station that is supposed to be the Birmingham terminus of the HS2.

Just after the Bond is the aqueduct over the River Rea.

We have just passed through the Warwick Bar and the stop locks can be seen where the two companies, the Birmingham and Fazeley and the Warwick and Birmingham Canal companies, met to protect their supply. It is good to see that efforts are being made to preserve the Banana warehouse. I hope they can find something useful for it.

After turning right, and not left, (we gave Typhoo Basin a miss this time), you are almost straight into Curzon Street Tunnel that is really just a big bridge with lots of rail tracks meeting above. It is always very dark until you get accustomed and as there is a bend I am always wary.

We were soon ascending the Ashted Locks which are now overlooked by buildings for Aston University. It was nice to see that cowslips were growing on the lock side.

After a bite to eat we went into town as we needed milk. We walked through Aston University Campus and they are celebrating 50 years this year. It seemed like there were many 'older' folk about so I was thinking that they are having a reunion weekend or something. It was a nice setting and very handy for town. 

We walked past the lovely building of the Law Courts.

We had a good look round the Rag Market and sorted things that we may come back for. It was then a quick visit to Primark, followed by M&S and Boots and B&M then a saunter back to the boat via a pint at the Sack of Spuds just by the Campus. We had a bit of bother getting back down to the canal as they seem to have blocked access from several of the bridges with new building work. Our mooring used to be closed in by a nursery on the tow path side, but that has been knocked down and a new College for High Speed Transport is to be built.