The Walk-the-Line Picnic Party : 13.30 - 16.30, Saturday, September 11,  2004

Some key features which were explained during the 5.5 mile-long ramble;

Selly Oak Park	our little secret	explanations being given
studying the tunnel line	St Mary's Abbey Ruins	The Leasowes' Narrows	Lynne Jones MP & Peter Best

 Click a picture to enlarge it ... with many thanks to Dick Hansell and Maureen Surman

1 Selly Oak [1.8 miles]

1	Selly Oak Park	unfilled channel, towpath swap over
2	Selly Oak Park	site of a Phase-1 terminal winding hole
3	Lodge Hill meander	swing bridge for school route crossing
4	Lodge Hill meander	towpath cross-over accommodation bridge
5	Lodge Hill meander	start of Weoley Castle 'rejuvenation' 'triangle'
6	Stonehouse Brook	crossing and tunnel water
7	Weoley Castle	observe Ruins through fencing
8	Somery Road bridge	cross over to detour on to Stonehouse Lane
9	California Common	Portal remains and methane vents

2 Lapal Tunnel Line [2.2 miles] (overland, via Woodgate Valley Housing Estate)

1	Stonehouse Lane	Proceed along 'below' Hillcrest School grounds
2	Simmons Leasowe	turn right to ascend public footpath to "the spider"
3	Nonsuch Primary School	north side gully footpath; spoil mounds
4	Coopers Arms (pub)	Ox Leasowe then Plough Avenue
5	Woodgate Valley	Visitor Centre; nearby central shaft indent.  Q&A pause with PJB
6	Clapgate Lane	Woodgate Lane then Watery Lane
7	Old Crown (pub)	Lye Close Lane bridge over M5
8	Lapal Lane South	descend to public FP (signed Abbey Fish Ponds) for Lapal portal

3 Halesowen [1.4 miles]

1	Lapal Portal	stream; observe brick remnants from Brewin's pump house
2	St Mary's Abbey lands	pass alongside Fish Ponds
3	St Mary's Abbey	observe Ruins across nearby field (L) ; old mine (R)
4	Manor Way	CARE! - cross near site of proposed Aqueduct - CARE!
5	Abbeyfields Meander	Fordrove Bridge; requirement for one again
6	Abbeyfields Meander	Narrows ; requirement for bridge over
7	Leasowes Channel	Restoration with partial watering
8	Leasowes Channel	coffer dam and wildlife habitat
9	Leasowes Park	Picnic tea & debrief Q&A with LCT members

Car Driver's route: Selly Oak (Park) to Halesowen (Leasowes) ; A to Z: Pages 88 -> 87 -> 86

Leave Gibbins Lane (etc.) with a LEFT TURN onto Harborne Lane (A4040) to descend the incline.

Ascend up to "New Layout" traffic island; after pedestrian lights, TURN LEFT into Quinton Road.

Proceed (approx. 1 mile) to T-junction; TURN LEFT into Northfield Road (then becomes California Way).

At traffic island, take SECOND EXIT (i.e. straight ahead) to South Woodgate in Stonehouse Lane.

Proceed ahead, at Traffic Lights, as name changes to Clapgate Lane.

Passing entrance to Woodgate Valley Visitor Centre (on Right) descend to 'mini' Traffic Island.

Take SECOND EXIT (a 'Right Turn') into Carters Lane past Old Crown on left then M5 below.

Proceed (past minor roads of housing, left and right) to Traffic Island.

Take Second Exit (almost ahead) along Kent Road, signed for Blackheath - partial dual-carriageway.

Continue ahead at mini roundabout and proceed to large main Traffic Island.

Take FIRST EXIT ('left') along A458 to begin descent of Mucklows Hill.

At DIY superstore (B&Q) Island continue down hill BUT at a gentle pace.

In about 100 yards, take LEFT slip road, just before metal railings, into Leasowes Car Park.

If you enjoyed the walk, tell your friends; if you didn't, tell us !