On frequent runs past these large concrete abutments I’ve never given them a second thought. On Sunday, a kid was using the one on the left like a sofa whilst snacking and watching traffic. On my way back from the Asda nearby, I spotted the remains of the marble marker placed by the Lapal Canal Trust.
Our area was once known as California for reasons that know one who claims to know seems to have strong evidence to back up. It was definitely named for a pub but the pub’s name’s origin is in question.
The path of the canal, long since filled in, runs out to Selly Oak Park and is quite pleasant if you don’t mind the litter and the dodgy characters you encounter (so, there’s another reason this could be called California).
Endless British Pub Crawl (Part 3) 