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LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOODDerek Harwood's Walking Records If you have any queries about the pictures or descriptions e-mail me at: derek@harwoodonline.com | ||||
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| GRAND UNION CANAL WALK Heron's Nest to Solihull Thursday 13th July 2006 ........................................Walk No. 671 |
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Grand Union Canal Walk No 73 Total 315.5 miles Time Taken: 2 hrs Distance: Enjoyment: Weather: Warm & Sunny 1:30 pm - 3:35 pm 6 miles 85% Sunny & little Breeze Temp: Cloud: Rain: Visibility: Ground Conditions: Wild Life: Ducklings 28oC 0% None Very Good Excellent Dragon Flies & Birds Total AA: Total MH: Total LD: Total AW: Other: Total Distance: 1018 mls 931.5 mls 1788.5 mls 162 mls 941 mls 4841 miles Companions: (Derek) Points of Interest and LINKS: Grand Union Canal Walk Stenson Narrowboats Blue-Green Algae Heron's Nest Public House Bogay Hall Knowle Locks Copt Heath Wharf Catherine de Barnes Solihull Moving Barges : 2 - Polarlys of Stenson & April Rose Locks : 5 - Nos 47-51 Towpath : GoodGeneral: Parked in Lugtrout Lane Solihull for start of cycling at 12:40 pm. Cycled to King's Arms Bridge, or Heronfield Bridge No 70 for start of walk, via the country lanes of Catherine de Barnes, Eastcote, Barston & Heronfield. Locked bicycle against pole in Heron's Nest Public House car park and started walking towards Knowle Locks on the canal towpath. Passed an elderly couple fishing on the canal near Cuttle Brook. They were excited about some big fish which had swam past their bate without taking a bite. They asked me to 'shoo' the fish back towards their floats. The canal water is always murky due to the passing barges stirring the mud from the canal bottom. It is always difficult to see any fish. The fish are usually fed well because most fishermen throw a pound (or half Kilo) of maggots in the canal for each fish they catch. Passed the moored barges and the Knowle Lock (5 off Nos 47 - 51), by Knowle Hall. Soon passed the Stephen Goldsbrough Boatyard by bridge 71 & the A4101, Kenilworth Road (13 miles to Gas Street Basin), the Kixley Lane Bridge 72 and Kixley Footbridge 73A. Warning placed prominently by bridge 73A, explaining the health hazards of 'Blue Green Algae' in the canal. Lots of wildlife along the canal, including foxgloves by bridge 73A. First moving barge, 'Polarlys of Stenson' passed me just after bridge 73A. Soon after this bridge I came across a stubborn row of ducks on the edge of the towpath. Normally the ducks would dive into the water as I approached, but this time they held firm, so I sneaked past without disturbing them. By Copt Heath Bridge 75, I came across a mother duck with numerous recently hatched chicks, very sweet. Continued under the noisy M42 Motorway to Copt Heath Wharf and lots more moored boats and barges. On to bridge 77, where the canal crossed over the River Blythe. Here the tranquility was sometimes disturbed by the planes landing at Birmingham Airport and the welcome second moving barge, 'April Rose'. Soon arrived at Catherine de Barnes Bridge 78 and a village information board with lots of amenities in the area. Pressed onwards along the long slow bend and the leafy cutting after Catherine de Barnes Village to bridge 79, where the car was parked in Lugtrout Lane. Location: www.streetmap.co.uk , - Start: Heron's Nest 419040/275150, - Finish: Solihull Bridge 78A 416110/280705, - via: Catherine-de-Barnes 418040/280375. (Click on location and use Zoom). Hazards: Take care not to swallow any 'Blue Green Algae', this will cause at least stomach upsets, even skin or eye problems. Click Here to Return to 'Lifetime of Walks' Homepage | |||||
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Derek Harwood: Copyright 2006 Devised: November 2006 Revised: December 2007 | |||||