Light at the end of the tunnel

Averina started the day moored on the bend between bridge 57 & 58 on the Worcs & Birmingham Canal.  A particular lovely rural spot.  At 7.00am I was feeding a little family of 5 ducklings.  Mum hangs back so her brood can be fed but I make sure I throw some bread further out for Mum too.  Another Mum stays over the other side of the canal, she has got a really young little family and knows they will get bullied if they try to come over too.  We set off at 9.00am and after Shortwood Tunnel moor at Alvechurch Marina to purchase a new gas cannister.  We moor up against another boat, (which we learn from Darren is perfectly acceptable) Dave pops into the shop and "Darren" comes out and introduces himself and is very keen to help and offer advice.  The morning has really warmed up now so we're keen to get on our way.  Darren phoned Bevere Lock Master who confirmed the Severn is open now but we've just done the Tardebigge so we're not going back that way - well not today anyway!!  On 2 ocassions on this stretch we see a Heron, so I put the camera on the sports setting and take some great shots of him taking off and flying alongside the boat.  We carry on and go through the Wast Hill Tunnel which is almost 2 miles long and takes about 35 minutes and meet another boat about half way through!  We could see their headlamp for quite some time but it's really hard to judge how close it is.  Through Kings Norton and then past Bournville & Cadbury World!  No locks today which is rather nice so we just enjoy motoring along the outskirts of Birmingham - not always the prettiest but lots of activity - lunchtime office walkers, joggers, cyclists etc - past Birmingham Uni and through Edgbaston and then finally into Gas Street.  We had lunch on the move as we wanted to get into Birmingham so we had a chance to find a mooring.  Gentleman on Tardebigge had advised us to pass Gas Street Basin and moor near SeaWorld which is exactly what we have done.  Plenty of space but by the end of the day both sides of the canal are full, so glad we got here early.  We moored Averina - all 58 foot of her in a space 59 foot wide!  The old guy in the first boat said he thought we'd never get her in but Dafydd played an absolute blinder and we parked her straight in no messing without touching either boat in front or behind.  We passed the time of day with the old guy in the first boat.  He's on his own since his wife died a year ago and he is spending a week here!  His sons bring him here and will take him back at the weekend!  He's 84 - and loves it here!  Lots of cafes, bars & restaurants to choose from and our choice of "Thai Edge" was a good one.  Lots of atmosphere and tasty food.  Yum !  It's been a gorgeous sunny day today but tomorrow and beyond is forecast to be wet & windy - how disappointing, we were just beginning to enjoy ourselves!