doratheexplorer

That's 53 locks and canal planner estimates at about 14.5 hours. Rather you than me! I like my boating to be relaxing. Possible with a long day in June though. Canal planner has this Birmingham route as taking longer, the days are now shorter and you say you only 3/4 of a day. In my view it's a no go. Why not enjoy the sights of Birmingham in the morning and head for Alvechurch at about lunch time?

At least one pool is out of action at the moment. Big dredging stuff going on. https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/news-and-views/news/gbp31-million-investment-secured-to-improve-titford-pools

never heard of Hallmark Boats boat they don't half look like Calcutt Clippers. Same shell fabricator?

I would imagine a proper wet room might be fairly unusual on a narrowboat. Thing is the boats expand and contract with heat so doors often have gaps above and below to allow for this. That makes a wet room tricky to do. These days, walk through bathrooms are pretty common. You get more space for cat swinging but use of the bathroom blocks passage through the boat. Swings and roundabouts.

Not you - Philip

With a fair wind behind you, you could probably single hand all the locks in about 8 hours. Then it's about 3.5 hours to Alvechurch. All this could easily take more. Have you done the three loops? That would be gentler. That's 50+ locks! Well done. Have you considered entering the BCN Challenge?

Ah, but you don't know what I keep in the backpack do you? Would make your head spin!