Birmingham has more canals than Venice, I've been told. While Venice may be known as a romantic getaway (paddling over smelly water isn't my idea of romantic, but that's just me), Birmingham canals served a practical purpose: getting goods tranported all over the country. It's possible to travel by canal to nearly any point in England.
People now live in those canal barges which have their own stoves, heating (important in winter), toilets etc. Some people hire the boats for rides, or tours. Some have converted them into floating restaurants. They're about 70 feet long and draws very shallow - only a few inches, important since the canal may be only 4 feet deep in places.
Since my mom is here, she wanted to go for a ride on the canal. Today she is visiting the countryside, tomorrow the canals around Brum - on a boat.
People now live in those canal barges which have their own stoves, heating (important in winter), toilets etc. Some people hire the boats for rides, or tours. Some have converted them into floating restaurants. They're about 70 feet long and draws very shallow - only a few inches, important since the canal may be only 4 feet deep in places.
Since my mom is here, she wanted to go for a ride on the canal. Today she is visiting the countryside, tomorrow the canals around Brum - on a boat.
