45. Curdworth to central Birmingham by narrowboat (Birmingham & Fazeley canal)

#narrowboat #narrowboats #canal #canals #liveaboard #cruisingthecut
Finally the big day is here: a massive 27 locks await my pleasure on the way from Curdworth into the middle of Birmingham. It was a warm, sunny day and a lot of effort - I ached for several days afterwards - but it was rather satisfying.
The route goes down the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal, up the Aston and Farmers Bridge lock flights into the centre of the city.
Got a question? Read this!
www.CruisingTh...
Boat & Filming gear I use:
www.CruisingTh...
Twitter: / cruisingthecut
Instagram: / cruisingthecut
Facebook: / cruisingthecut
Web: www.CruisingThe...
Tip jar at www.ko-fi.com/...
or / cruisingthecut
Get your Cruising the Cut mugs, t-shirts and other merch here: cruisingthecut...
Buying anything via this Amazon link gets me a commission to help me keep the videos coming. Thank you! geni.us/CtC_Ca...
Theme music: "Vespers" by Topher Mohr and Alex Alena, from the KZbin music library

[@JMVideos7676]

Your sense of humor over a fouled prop has put this one into the "best of" category.

[@kevingreally452]

I used to live on that stretch of the canal 30 years ago, unfortunately I was homeless at the time and I wouldn't blame anyone for not wanting to stay around there too long, it used to be a very dangerous place with lots of nefarious goings on. I hated it but there were some safe little nooks and crannies where it was safe to bed down for the night. Thankfully a very distant memory.

[@for.tax.reasons]

I would absolutely watch a post apocalyptic zombie show where the main characters live on narrowboats. I imagine the zombies are especially slow so there is a very tense low speed chase once every few episodes.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Then you need “Zomboat!”, broadcast here on ITV2 but also available on Hulu I believe.

[@for.tax.reasons]

@@CruisingTheCut I cannot believe that is a real thing brb

[@CruisingTheCut]

It really is. I find it mildly amusing.

[@smichelsen]

Oh my. Here it is. www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/zomboat

[@atariastinus]

This is currently available on Hulu. I just found it. I'm loving it. Really well produced. Very funny. Not sure where they are at for a season 2, given the lock-down but I very much hope there will be more episodes.

[@SecretSquirrelFun]

1:36 that object in the water. Just over your shoulder 😳 It looks like a tiny little person sitting in a tiny little boat 🤣. It looks like a gnome on his summer holidays 🙂he’s even wearing his pointy little cap bless him.

[@ncplantdoctor]

I love following your videos for the beautiful scenery, absent in this particular one, and your humor. I am happy that you are having fun with leisurely cruising the historic canals. Certainly passing under buildings is an interesting way to see the city replete with graffiti and trash; a rather unique and inglorious view of the city to contrast with the glorious countryside. Having distilled 27 locks into 8 minutes of video, I do not feel the tired muscles you did or the disappointment with the behaviors of the local ragamuffins.

[@CruisingTheCut]

"Ragamuffins". Excellent choice of word.

[@aaronman2000]

It all looked rather intimidating, a dark concrete jungle where the poisonous insects and creatures are bored teens with the potential for mischief. Well done for such an effortful day, thanks for sharing.

[@WoodlandsArchive]

You definately earned that cup of tea at the end! Im amazed you managed to get that much fotage, hard graft that one.

[@TheVirginiaStew]

love the canal under the warehouse....and the Tank.......Oh My a Dress and Bra on the prop is a new one.. usually its discarded line....WOW that was a work out...with all those locks..Great Video

[@CJBLONDBEAR]

bloody hell mate, that was flipping brilliant ! please make more .

[@tompayne8863]

Wow! I grew up in Birmingham (Alabama...). No canals! I live 45 minutes out, now, on a nice big lake. I enjoy your videos. I'm working my way through them a little at a time.

[@joannapocock6055]

A cup of tea lol i would have hit the sack after all those locks!! enjoy your time up there.

[@roomforapony1]

Your former life shines through; thoroughly enjoyed the views and narration.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you

[@jonny7491]

Yes that’s a major Ambulance depot they closed local ones down and created one big one. Now the ambulances have to fight their way through the constant traffic at all times of day pulling out on to a duel carriageway and then cutting through if they want to turn right down to the Tyburn island putting extra minutes on their journey. Well done the bean counters a bunch of ⚓️

[@ngauge22]

Wow, that was some trip. 27 locks single-handed. Great job.

[@usablellc6735]

Your videos, in particular your dry commentary always cheer up my day. You're prior career has served you well.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you

[@contrafax]

Tough day, glad you made it.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Yes, indeed it was...

[@WodekBilinski]

Looks like it was a hard day. Good job and a great video.

[@Starswake]

Goodness, so much work and such a difference being in the city. Like plenty of your episodes, it's taken me a half hour to see this episode, so much to see, I keep going back. Birmingham looks beautiful.

[@CruisingTheCut]

I like Birmingham but it is much maligned (quite probably from people who've never been there) as it struggles to throw off its 1970s industrial concrete heritage!

[@IWMD]

Binge watching while knitting. Fascinated. All because you went on a cruise 😂

[@autofare3]

Did the Farmers Branch going out of the City last week and ended up having to moor up outside Aston University as the light was failing. Youre spot on about mooring in the suburbs, it was a nerve wracking night with all kinds of characters hanging about. Dont let yourself get stranded around here, stop at Gas Street or leave enough time to get past Spaghetti Junctionand into the countryside

[@kevintynan796]

Excellent! Straight through the heart of Birmingham. Quite a contrast from the calmness of the countryside. Very enjoyable!

[@JCisJD]

Well done sir, well done indeed, I have just got back from something of an adventure myself, wide awake I thought; ahhhh anything posted and their you were, lovely, and many thanks:)

[@henryharesdene4164]

Always a pleasure to view your offerings even though - in current terms - they are ancient history!

[@RangerRob]

Great video, I had no idea there was so many locks there. Thanks

[@marcenepinkerton5031]

So enjoy your sense of humor on your adventure!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Good! :-)

[@rubbberrobbie]

Locking hell indeed. You deserved that cuppa 👍🏼

[@CruisingTheCut]

I rather think I did!

[@andyhoward4090]

Thoroughly interesting blog. What an adventure are having. Do please keep the blogs coming,

[@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian]

Well done on going through so many locks single handed. Such a feat of resilience. Thank you for the interesting perspective of cruising through a large city and the pit falls to be encountered. Do you sometimes bemoan not having a companion on board to share the load , worries and enjoyment?

[@jerrystewart796]

It was difficult following you this far into Birmingham, but you give points of interest and make it, at least possible. Thank you.

[@Martyn2021]

amazingly well done.

[@Therandomlifeofmarks]

I love your graffiti rants! 😁👍

[@royandlorainenorthwood9971]

Well done, great video.

[@beverlyfletcher4458]

Going under that warehouse reminded me that the other intrepid boater, Robbie Cumming, encountered a similar scenario somehere 'oop North' when the canal went under an Asda. you know you're in an urban environment then!

[@TruckingVideos]

Another great video, we did this trip a month or so ago, in the opposite direction, and we really enjoyed the gritty industrial urban contrast to the usual bucolic scenery we pass through, and factories and warehouses are after all what the canals were built to service .... We just can't believe our luck in that, in over 500 hours of cruising, we've never once got anything tangled on the prop, because to get to the prop through our weed hatch a person would need to have about six elbows on each arm.

[@CruisingTheCut]

I'm amazed you didn't pick anything up either! I've seen weed hatches like that, not helpful :-)

[@sophiedawn7142]

Great over view of the contrast given by a canal boat journey.....interesting to see the inner city as well as the country side. Oh, and a big thank you for the hat doffing.

[@CruisingTheCut]

:-)

[@suemeyer8989]

All those locks-so glad you share all the determination and persistence in this part of your journey.

[@ColonialGardens99]

Wow! What a day that was...

[@0HARE]

What an epic day. Glad to see you made it safely through all those locks. The urban environment is surely different from your previous idyllic countryside cruising. Hopefully, the city has much to offer, and you can have a bit of diversion before the next set of locks. Cheers!

[@StevieGstar]

Hello, would like too say ive loved and enjoyed all your video up too date so please keep them coming your doing a great job

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you

[@shannonboat2082]

Another fascinating vlog. You're a very brave man - I'd be terrified going under those buildings and encountering youths.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Haha, the youths terrified me most but I just said "good morning" and carried on!

[@johnhomer5338]

Having recently done those locks, in reverse order, as a crew of two pretty fit 35 year olds, I salute you. I was tired enough, and my girlfriend worked most of them. In my defence, she wanted to do them, and I did work the first seven locks of the Aston flight whilst she steered. We also pushed on through the Curdworth locks that afternoon, after she insisted that she wanted to break her locks per day record (31 for her).

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks. Yes, it's a lot of locks!

[@vixenlarue1998]

Great video. Thank you so much for sharing. I think I would be wanting a little more than a hot cup of tea after that effort, but well done to do all that in one day!

[@Innerspace100]

Crikey! Watching this again now, and I'd forgotten just how many locks you traversed on this one. 27 in a day with no assistance... No wonder you were knackered and grumpy. I saw Jono and the two ladies of the Narrowboat Experience did Tardebigge together last year. That too seemed quite the ordeal, and they at least had each other...

[@robsin2810]

Blooming heck, you had a locking good time.🤣🤣🤣🤣🥂

[@terrystephens1102]

Well done on the locks marathon, David 😃👍👏👏👏👏👏

[@bettyt3471]

I was exhausted after that trip!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Have a nap. I did :-)

[@KnuxV1]

Ohhh! We saw that tank today ( 4:19 ) It's an advert for beds! There's lettering on the other side. The library is also very nice up close, but we didn't visit the viewing platform. Great fun watching these vids again with some new perspective. All the best!

[@CruisingTheCut]

A bed advert?! Of course, the obvious use for a tank!!!

[@ScoriacTears]

3:13 Now that would make an interesting painting.

[@KevinTodd]

I wish we had a canal system like that.....love the videos looks so much fun and great scenery and some hard work of course great job

[@lewis72]

Interesting that you bemoan the "warehouses and grot", that's exactly why they were built in the first place ! Ah, that canal roundabout. I've spent many an afternoon eating/drinking at Gas Street Basin and thought that it would be a terribly good wheeze to plonk someone on it on their Stag do, with enough to eat and drink and keep warm, then see if they can hitch a lift off it !

[@GJChurchward]

After first removing their trousers, of course.

[@for.tax.reasons]

4:04 makes me laugh every time as I picture you going past determinedly avoiding making more eye contact than strictly necessary

[@roygardiner4002]

You look so much younger on this one David! This narrowboat life is taking its toll !

[@CruisingTheCut]

I know! How is it I looked consistently younger when I had a day job, eh??!

[@Rorrytherouter]

My wife used to work at the vehicle tax office in Oozells Street and cycle along the cut from Erdington under Spaghetti every morning, she also used the tracks around the cut and Spaghetti to learn to ride her Honda 125. I spent many hours walking the cut from Sheldon area to the city centre. We also had some great times on the party boats from Gas Street, mind you I did manage to run on aground turning her around in on of the small cuts.

[@TheBrewersDroop]

Whilst on the GUC, I completely messed up my schedule and was getting more and more worried as it was getting dark and the centre of Birmingham was looming over me, I had to stay at camp Hill top lock 52. A small semi piece of oasis in a not very nice area. Turned out to have one of the best pub meals that night too!

[@zoltantajti1614]

Well done,the video is lovely as always.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you

[@Dent-Arthur-Dent]

Bir-li-amy! Epic lockeraging that man.

[@TrevorMarty69]

Wow, I can't imagine doing even one lock let alone that many. You're a master now. Thumbs up!!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Jack of all locks, master of none!

[@TrevorMarty69]

LOL

[@17leeward]

Another great video. Really interesting and a lovely informal conversational narrative. Feels like having a friend tell you about their adventures. May bump into you at Crick on Sunday.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Yes, I'll be there!

[@jamesoates1334]

When I was long distance truck driving I always judged an area by the amount of barbed wire and window grilles

[@bobham919]

i judge by the amount of security needed at 7/11's. if they are behind a cage i don't want to stay there long

[@michaelpilling9659]

WOW! - what a day. Very well done David. Followed you on my map and can see where you have stopped. I guess your arm and thigh muscles must ache quite a bit. A nice cup of tea some supper and a good nights sleep will help I'm sure. Wonderful film with brilliant commentary. Thank you

[@snappyfish]

Always worth watching... Keep it up :)

[@sue-arlenebury8645]

Well done to do that many locks on your own.

[@anneclarke9700]

Very impressed by your locking skills. Really looking forward to your next video. At least you 'll be going down on the way out of Birmingham

[@CruisingTheCut]

:-)

[@53Peterbilt]

question: could a cruiser use one of the canal arms as a place to moor for a night or two?? 3:48 Looks like they'd be quiet & private, and potentially free. Also, people warned you about stopping at certain places ahead of your travels, which you seem to heed. but I've not always found this to be the best advice, and will often times go by what my gut tells me is a good place or not. Some places I've been told were supposed to be nice, but just got a really bad feeling about them, and others were quite the opposite, and what some described as bad, were actually quite lovely. Of course, this is just my own experience. Always enjoy your vlogs. Safe and pleasant travels to you Sir.

[@bartvanderveere7592]

This roundabout is said to be the centre of the waterways system. A beautiful area.

[@GroveDave]

Fair play to you working those locks single handed - impressed

[@CruisingTheCut]

I was quite impressed with myself!

[@aimeelee76]

Apparently not the only thing he can do single-handed!

[@ShiresMatt]

Great video, well done opening all those locks. Loved the commentary on this, gave me some real giggles. Not sure if you passed near me yet.. Maybe the next leg

[@anthonymccabe7800]

Well done, sir! We hired a boat from Brummagem boats many years ago, no idea if they still exist. Exit down the locks in the opposite direction to your journey, ended up eventually in Tamworth and met a woman from Norway, came from a place only a couple of miles from where we lived at the time. Small world.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Excellent tale! Cheers

[@Hazel2033]

It's been a long time since I walked the tow paths around Birmingham. Congratulations on your mammoth solo lock challenge. Loved your video.

[@CruisingTheCut]

I think I'm still tired from that one to this day!

[@danielledykgraaf6483]

David sir...are you sure the dress and brazire was not attached to the owner before the prop removed them?

[@davidcoggins6012]

Epic! Have a gold star for effort, David :)

[@CruisingTheCut]

Crikey, is that all??!! ;-)

[@davidcoggins6012]

I only gave Edmund Hilary a silver star for Everest as he had help from a Sherpa! OK, just as I am feeling really benevolent, have a pack of virtual Jelly Babies too :)

[@CruisingTheCut]

Haha, perfect. Yes, that Hilary was a cop-out, wasn't he? ;-)

[@kenlennon]

Well done!Good lock for the rest of the trip. See you at Crick.Ken

[@CruisingTheCut]

Not long now!

[@darhayward18]

Thanks for another great video. I watched while enjoying my afternoon tea. I think I'll watch again just to hear "schedule" pronounced properly.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Any correct pronunciations are entirely accidental :-)

[@biscuitbassbroom7306]

Mmmmm interesting thankfully no zombies lol wow ....... 27 locks I've never done that many good for you ...

[@callumthompson4673]

No mention of Sherborne wharf? Swear I saw the little pink waterbus doing it's rounds, love all of your videos David.

[@penelope_skye]

Just a little note about that army vehicle you saw. It was a armoured personal carrier not a tank but it was an easy mistake to make.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Yes but for the purposes of a quick line to the general watching public, "tank" is quicker to comprehend.

[@bartvanderveere7592]

I did this stretch on foot some time ago. Birmingham is a bit industrial, but the canals were equally important.

[@walkingaroundthemidlands7190]

Fantastic to see you are in my neck of the woods. Good old Birmingham. I'm not far from there It's a pity about all the graffiti. Love the blogs and keep up the good work.

[@CruisingTheCut]

:-)

[@millomweb]

The famous roundabout is claimed to be a war time relic for the purpose of gating the canal against such a pillar in an emergency should a bomb have gone through the bottom of the canal and opened up a water route to the railway lines coming out of New Street Station. I gather it was never 'needed' which I think is fortunate as I suspect the rate at which the water flow could be humanly stopped would have been much slower than the time needed to completely flood the railway.

[@davidduckworth963]

Best yet! Quite agree with the comments too!

[@inkydoug]

I have never before known of any boat that had a hatch to get to the propeller. Much easier than diving under your boat and holding your breath while you work.

[@CruisingTheCut]

It's very handy but you have to absolutely make sure the cover is screwed down totally tight once you're finished else the boat can take on water and sink (and very quickly once it comes through the weed hatch)

[@Silkendrum]

I rented a narrowboat for a few weeks many years ago. We had a tiny round covered hole in the back, perhaps seven or eight inches in diameter. Every morning we had to reach an arm down that hole, up to the shoulder, and feel around blindly for fishing line, fishing hooks, and weeds wrapped around the screws, and every morning we (well, I) pulled out loads of junk. I hated the hooks, and every day there was at least one.

[@annettefournier9655]

That was a lot of work! You must be a hardy fit soul to work all those locks. Think I'll stick to cycling. Well done you!

[@CruisingTheCut]

I'm the biggest weakling there is, I still don't know how I did it!

[@MichaelsMustang]

Locking Hell is a very accurate title ! 🤯 That couple really need to find a less public place to play board games. Taking a ladies bra and dress off with a kitchen knife is a different approach, not what you would expect to find in a canal, I assume your tool kit now has wire cutters in it. I googled Birmingham to see where you were and the side bar showed the canal intersection you went though just before you moored up. After that many locks you deserve a gin and tonic.🍋🥃

[@vectorbrony3473]

Thank you for the doffed hat. I'm a medical assistant in the Royal Navy

[@CruisingTheCut]

Vital job. Doffed again.

[@vectorbrony3473]

Also you were spot on about that building. West midlands ambulance has those hubs all over and each with a 20 mile radius. They are used for restocking, refitting and rest stop for crews. I only know from working out of the Litchfield hub whilst on placement with west mids.

[@worldofrandometry6912]

Phew! I was exhausted just watching that. Well done. Thank goodness the lady wasn't still attached to her clothes when you put your hand down there..

[@CruisingTheCut]

Ewwww, that would have been nasty indeed.

[@razz719]

We came up through those from Warwick side it was an experience to say the least......got to Cambrian ward at about 10 at night and heaved a sign of relief :-)

[@4sstg]

I too like neat and tidy, in doors, and out. I love seeing the gardens by the canal. I never watch zombie movies as they are beyond untidy. Spectators should offer to help, really, unless they are on crutches.

[@badapple65]

You need a cabin boy, a deck hand, to operate all of the Locks for You. Though you are forced to get exercise I guess. Another very good and informative video.

[@CruisingTheCut]

I like the idea of deck hands doing all the work!

[@ltrtg13]

I've watched this a couple of times now. I still cannot work out how someone was able to dump a 2 maybe 3 lorry cabs on the side of the canal as there is a brick wall behind it. The only thing I can think of. They were craned in before the trees grew.

[@longhunter1951]

Well done that man, very impressive trip , maybe something a little stronger than tea after all that hard work. you certainly earned it :o)

[@CruisingTheCut]

Oh, you can't beat a nice cup of tea :-)

[@LoudValves]

cup of tea ? more like a G & T...

[@Wolfie_Rankin]

Spaghetti Junction was where the opening titles of Jumbleland was filmed, a kid's show from the 70s starring Anita Harris. Unfortunately most people don't remember the show at all. It took place in a junkyard under the road somewhere and featured a character called Harry Nasty.

[@c1neal]

Ever think of revisiting Birmingham and finding the filming locations of zomboat?

[@CruisingTheCut]

I rather think it wasn’t filmed there

[@gavinparkes1515]

Absolutely brilliant! Hard work but very rewarding, and the weather looked great. I had trouble with my prop through Curdworth, no bra but a car! Yes there was a sunken car in the canal, and the boat went over it. Gotta luv Brum!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Car beats bra, I think! Did the prop survive?

[@gavinparkes1515]

+CruisingTheCut took it out of gear at the last minute, saved the day. Only did that because I couldn't understand why the boat was starting to rise out the water as we rode over it.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Blimey! Lucky escape.

[@century2298]

Wow, what a challenging day. Soloing every one. Not so bad when the greatest hazard was removing lady's bra. I'm viewing every one of your videos trying to get caught up to where you are now. VERY well done. Excellent video quality, editing , and your narration. Wonderful scenery in most places, and the rest is reality. I'll leave more comments when I view a few more. Carry on. Happy journey to you.

[@louisebastard2091]

We did those locks on a cold wet day

[@stephenmundane]

You truly are the Lockmaster! Enjoyable as ever, apart from the post-apocalyptic tagging ;-) Liked the tank though.

[@CruisingTheCut]

I'd quite like that tank too.

[@stephenmundane]

Google tells me it's an Alvis FV603 Saracen armoured personnel carrier -- designed and built in Coventry no less. With a few modifications to your hull's superstructure I'm positive you could get one on-board ;-)

[@CruisingTheCut]

Isn't Google marvellous?

[@stephenmundane]

It certainly has its uses ;-)

[@claudemclain1032]

Looks like your Birmingham is as rowdy as our Birmingham...lol

[@cyclingwithkiwi3956]

well done

[@szymongorczynski7621]

1:50 I think that Depot was featured in the BBC show "Ambulance"

[@briancoates7662]

I so enjoy your videos David but in none I've watched so far do you mention the length of your boat (unless, of course, I missed it) it looks ginormous. So inspired by yourself and Dan Brown was I that I attempted to buy a narrowboat and the deal went really sour when I had the boat surveyed. As a 'rookie' I was unprepared for a well established brokerage trying to rip me off. However my plans weren't entirely thwarted and I purchased a nice 22' GRP cruiser privately which I have yet to take out on the cut single handed. Compared to your floating palace though ..... Hopefully I'll try for a narrowboat again once I know my onions and can't be so easily led. Cheers.

[@CruisingTheCut]

It's 56 feet so mid-sized. Sorry to hear of your poor experience. There are lots of established brokers out there, some with reputations that are less than gleaming, sadly. Definitely take time to research, read up, look around at loads etc. I bought mine from ABNB which is generally well regarded, another one is Rugby Boats. The canalworld forums have lots of info about people's experiences with different brokers. Hope you enjoy your cruiser!