Hopwood House

Captains Log



Canal Date 24th November 2010






Travels 5 Miles


0 locks






Current Location Hopwood (Again)




After a good long rest at Tardebigge it was once again time for a change of scenery. The plan is to visit the famous German Market in Birmingham City Centre. Well it is so much easier to get to Birmingham than it is to get to Germany.

Some friends, Martin & Cathy joined us for the first leg, from Tardebigge to Hopwood. The weather was good – clear blue sky – little wind. A lovely late autumn day, it was however bordering on the bloody cold. Plenty of layers of clothing required.

I have done this leg of the canal several times and always find Tardebigge tunnel to be fascinating. It starts with a brick lining and soon reverts to natural rock, all at differing levels and, of course, it’s a well known fact that Farther Christmas takes up residence in there for most of December. I noticed that his welcoming committee have already started to install the Christmas lights in readiness for his arrival.

We arrived at Hopwood and moored right outside the pub front door. Well it cuts down the “staggering distance”

As we are this close, it seemed only proper to call in and have a meal – it has become a bit of a tradition on board daddy Cook over the last two years.

We shall stay here until after the weekend then it’s on to the bright lights of the big bad city.