Re - Tracking.....

With a short term time plan to stick to we've had to go over old ground that  involved a little more than a days travel. The canal involved was from Kings Norton Junction to Kingswood Junction.

Before that we had to pass through the Wast Hills Tunnel being the longest tunnel we have encountered.

Opened in 1815, steam and then diesel, tugs towed horse drawn NB,s through as there is no towpath. The horses would be led over the top and meet up on the other side...

Arriving at the tunnel entrance, 2 way but never saw another NB...    2726yds long....
One time I was pleased for the old saying "there's always light at the end of the tunnel"......

 

 

It's almost dead straight and you can see the light at the other end when you enter.. ..  It takes quite a while until the light starts to appear bigger...

The arch is very uniform in shape....  A Zillion bricks and though it looks dry it was raining  water in places.....

 

Cast iron brackets with insulators to carry telegraph lines through the tunnel....

Looking back after exiting...  28 minutes travel time.....





Then turned onto Stratford on Avon canal and passed under the two Guillotine stop lock gates......




















Then through the much shorter Brandwood Tunnel....  352yds...

 

Onto the Lapworth locks, another  typical UK hot summer day...  A cast Iron bridge above the lock  with the 1 inch split through the centre  so the horse drawn  tow rope didn't have to be disconnected.....

 

Some of the Lapworth Flight....

Kingswood Junction.... straight ahead to Stratford on Avon.... through the left hand lock to join the Grand Union canal....


While doing the last 3 locks a couple of kids showed an interest and joined in helping with the locks so  they jumped at the opportunity to ride on fireflyNZ  through the last two locks...

Millie and Lucas have turned onto the Grand Union,  thanks for the help.......

Gonna have to Brave another hot day tomorrow.....   Bring it on......