The Lovely Lisa Narrowboat (but currently called Lucy Lowther): A Glorious Day

Another fairly early start with the promise of lovely Spring sunshine.

Very unusual weirs to take the by-wash past the lock. No shortage of water here. According to a local I was chatting to much of it comes from Wolverhampton's sewage works!

Awbridge Lock and the unusual balustraded bridge

I arrive at "The Bratch" with it's remarkable 3 locks, toll house, keeper's cottage and pumping station.

A very attractive setting.

The octagonal toll house

Originally constructed in 1772 to be a staircase lock with the bottom gates of one lock forming the top gates of the next lock. To save water, they were later converted and each lock was separated from the next by a very short pound with feeds from side pounds. The locks are manned from March to October so I have an easy passage.

Believe it or not this is the pumping station - an 1895 Victorian construction. The original steam engines are still in situ and, until recently it was occasionally open to the pubic and one engine, restored in 1991, was fired up. Very sadly it fell into disrepair and was closed due to safety concerns - let us hope the funds are found to maintain and re-open it.

After a stop at Sainsbury in Wombourne I continue in shirtsleeves in lovely warm sunshine.

Stewponey Lock, just past the junction with the Stourbridge Canal and another way into the BCN via one of two very long tunnels. I did think of travelling up it a bit, just to come back, but it would be very built up so I continued on the Staffy. This lock is amazing with a tunnel to get from the lock, under the bridge and to the towpath.