Jess arrives and we get as far as Lyons Boatyard

 Today's Canals - Worcester and Birmingham, Stratford

This morning offered bright blue, cloudless skies. We moored overnight opposite Alvechurch Boatyard and Hire Base - we had arranged to meet Joanna and Jess here late morning, having driven up from Windsor.

Although this turned out to be a surprisingly quiet spot, the yard was open for business at least by 7 o'clock. The hire business seems to be picking up well and there were several boats returning and to be turned around for the next crews to arrive this afternoon.

Christine walked down to the village and, as well as calling at the Co-Op for a paper, she went into the nearby butcher who was very happy to supply what she particularly sought - a local pork pie.

We were updated on car progress and when they were just a few minutes away, Mike walked up to the bridge to avoid them missing us.

After chat, it was time for lunch. For the first time Mike had made a loaf of bread on the boat, using a bread mix for simplicity. It turned out very tasty, almost malted grain flavour. If we were at home he would have used a packet on two separate days but luckily he made it all up as over two thirds went by the end of lunch, as well as almost all of the pork pie.

The blue sky had disappeared and for a while we had a slight shower. Before we set off, Mike checked the weed hatch only to discover that some electrical plastic covered wire was entangled around the prop shaft. Not the easiest to remove - sad to say, he now much prefers real weed!

Time now to cast off and Joanna stayed on board a while, walking back to her car from just before the Wast Hills Tunnel.

A little north of Alvechurch the new Withybed Marina is open for business and most of the moorings appear to be taken. It seems to be simple marina with a few facilities on a plateau above the moorings.

The vegetation is now well developed and the scenery generally very pleasant.

A sharp bend accompanies the entrance to the former Bittell Arm, now largely overgrown and denoted as a conservation area.

Joanna left us just after Bridge 69 and set off back to Alvechurch whilst we prepared to enter the long wast Hills Tunnel. Although the information boards suggests this will take us an hour, we emerged just 30 minutes after starting. We passed two boats coming the other way. With the second, Mike discovered why he normally is very careful about stowing the side fenders when leaving a mooring. Alas the reminder left us minus the rear fender and top rail hanger, accompanied by a distressing crack!

Shortly after leaving the tunnel we called for at a water point long enough to fill the tank - but there were no other services here.

At Kings Norton Junction is the sad sight of the burned out former toll house, still wrapped up awaiting repair and restoration.

We continued for another three quarters of an hour before looking for a mooring. We passed through the much shorter Brandwood Tunnel. Just after passing the Lyons Boatyard. Alas we could not find anywhere with a tv signal so Mike will have to forgo tonight's episode of his favourite Vera.

Jess did most of the work in preparing tonight's fish pie.

8.1 Miles - 0 Locks