Birmingham Main Line Canal part 1, November 2023
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
- Thursday 30th November 2023:
A walk of around 8 to 9 miles from Gas Street Basin in the city centre, to Langley Green.
Very cold day, but the sun came out and I got some brilliant footage of the canal, including where it splits at Smethwick Junction. The canal has a number of loops, where you can make your journey shorter or longer, as preferred, but whichever way you choose, there's loads to see. I ended up walking directly below the M5 motorway for a while and it was fascinating to see the extent of maintenance work being done underneath the carriageway.
Overall, it was a fascinating canal and if I'd had more time, and kept going, I'd have ended up in Wolverhampton. Maybe I'll see about doing the rest of it another day - luckily there are a lot of small railway stations around Birmingham, so I'll check the map and see what'd be the best one to start from.
Cheers,
Jeff
By the way, if you do enjoy the video, then please consider subscribing - it really helps me to grow the channel!
You can see more of my videos, including my journeys along the canals, and of my Brompton bike at:
/ @gladysthenarrowboat
Another great video. Interesting to see the old and modern buildings ect along the route. Hope to walk it myself after the Christmas break.
Thanks Gerald - there's a lot to see on this one, and the towpath is very good much of the way.
Interesting and informative video Jeff, thanks. You can see the changing scenery and I daresay vibes as you progressed along the canal paths. The Brompton would be good on a nice warm summer's day 👍
Thanks Iain. Yeah, this was an interesting canal and there was plenty to see - makes a change from endless grassy banks and trees on some stretches I've done! Brompton would definitely be the choice on a nice dry (and warmer) day! 👍
Hi Jeff, hope you are well mate. Nice to see my local canals featured again. They are really nice to cycle along in the summer and also some nice fishing too. I've cycled across all those towpaths you walked along except those around the Smethwick area. I was actually born in Smethwick but have never visited any of the canals in the area. I always think the graffiti spoils the surroundings, especially on the Birmingham sections of the canal as most of it never existed in my cycling days. Birmingham New Street Station is an eyesore in my opinion. The stainless steel panels would probably have looked better if they were not warped. I was working there through the redevelopment and initially it was looking really nice, especially compared to the previous old 70's style concrete design.....and then those panels went up 😱......Only my opinion by the way as I'm sure many do like it. Anyway Jeff, another informative video and we are always impressed with the research you put in. If you ever bring Gladys down to Brum in the future I'll have to pop over and buy you a drink. Looking forward to the next vlog Jeff, take care mate 👍
Cheers Dave, yes, the Birmingham area is well blessed with canals! I think it very likely that when I get Gladys, that I'll be navigating some of the canals I've walked along so far - so hopefully we will meet up for that drink!
Yeah, no doubt some folk like the new station exterior, but its not to my taste either.
Fingers crossed, I hope to get up on the canal again this coming week, maybe push on to Wolverhampton - I need to plan which station would be best after New Street - and decide if I will do by Brompton. Much depends on the weather of course! Thanks as always for the comment 👍
Waterfowl, waders and the like, have few and smaller blood vessels in the lower limbs. Which reduces heat loss and allows them to be in water, that humans consider far too cold. Except those nutter, who swim all year round in rivers, the sea and +66° latitude.
The big roadway, appears to be part of the M5.
Thanks DC. Ah, I didn't know that about ducks etc. You'd not catch me swimming in a river at any time of the year - let alone now when it's bloody freezing! 😊
My nephew swims in the sea every morning, then drives straight to work. He’s a hardy one and a nutter.
Must be mad!!
Do Tipton to Birmingham - good walk and some interesting elements. You'll go through Dudley Port, see the station above and the aqueduct, the Dudley Junction and could branch off to Oldbury - some nice scenery.
Yes I got to Oldbury junction on part 1. The Dudley Canal looks good, and I may follow your suggestion once I've videoed up to Aldersley junction in the new year . Cheers Marc 👍😊
Fab looking trail. I’ve had it in my note book since last year and was hoping to go this year but didn’t get around to it. May be next year. I think you were wise not to take the Brompton that day.
Yes, it'd certainly suit you, as its a mixture of good surface and then other bits that would be much better on a Rock Hopper like your's. Bromptons aren't designed for mud and bumps! There are lots of trains to / from, and around, Birmingham. I'll probably get a train to New Street, then another to get halfway up to Wolverhampton next time (if I'm going to walk it again). There are lots of routes up there along canals - just a bit of a trek getting there! Luckily, I love going on trains 😊