Into Worcestershire

Another county - I should have kept a note of how many counties I have visited.  Maybe one of these days I will count them up.

Wolverley Church

Kidderminster Parish Church

Former woollen mill, now a Debenhams store.

I have a dilemma as I do not particularly want to moor in Kidderminster. Nor do I want to get to Stourport and onto the Severn. With the recent rain I am concerned there might be quite a fast flow on the river, which would mean mooring in the basin (not attractive).  Fortunately I find a nice spot between the two at Pratt's Wharf, site of a former lock joining the canal to the river Stour.

A swollen River Stour which a local man said rises and falls very rapidly

 I will moor here for a couple of nights, as more rain is forecast for tomorrow.  Just hoping it is not too much to affect the Severn.

4 miles; 5 locks

TOTAL:  180 miles; 66 locks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25 April

Rain forecast but I move on a bit in the hope of getting a decent phone and internet signal.

The bluebells are coming out (taken with iphone so not a brilliant photo)

The rain comes early and James and I get a thorough soaking before tying up about midday just before Kidderminster.

4 miles; 2 locks

TOTAL:  176 miles; 61 locks

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.

Very attractive garden gates.

It was such a beautiful day and evening that I just kept going and didn't moor up until half past eight - very tired but very happy.

10 miles; 18 locks

TOTAL:  172 miles; 59 locks

New Territory!

An early start to get the best of the weather.  At the junction I turn South onto the Staffordshire and Worcester canal and onto new territory.

Skirting Wolverhampton is much more pleasant than I anticipated - you would never know there was a large city just minutes walk away.

















Aldersley Junction and the entrance to the Birmingham Canal Navigation and the infamous Wolverhampton flight of 21 locks - not for the faint-hearted and not for me this time (or perhaps ever!).

 

 

 

The locks on this section all have an accompanying footbridge below the bottom gates.  It may make crossing the lock easy but means I cannot usually manage to close one gate with the rope and the other with the pole.  I have to get off to shut the gates.

 

 

Back out in the countryside I moor for the night before the rain arrives - well almost!

6 miles; 4 locks

TOTAL:  162 miles; 41 locks

22 April

Nothing much to report.  Stopped at Brewood again to visit the butcher and stock up.

Could this be the smallest narrowboat on the system?

Moor up just before Autherley Junction.

6 miles; 0 locks

TOTAL:  156 miles; 37 locks

Lovely Easter at Gnosall

 It was a lovely stay at Gnosall and the Navigation Inn, with great company and good beer.  James enjoyed it and met some old friends and made some new ones (as did I).

Come and get me!

James and Jack burning off some energy

James greets old friend Rosie

And Barney cannot wait to join in

Barney's preferred position - keeping an eye on things through the cat-flap

Banter breakfast on Easter Sunday, courtesy of Jan Warsop

My mooring at Gnosall - second boat up and a good spot.

Goodbye to Pollie, Barney and Rosie

After 10 days moored up and with my wallet considerably lighter I was keen to get going.  Easter Monday was forecast to be the best day of the coming week so, an early start and a short cruise up to Norbury Junction to stock up with diesel, coal and gas and to turn round to head back down the Shroppie.
Very pleasant days cruise and I moor just before Brewood with the intention of revisiting the butcher and baker tomorrow.

11 miles; 1 locks

TOTAL:  150 miles; 37 locks

Gnosall for Easter

The impressive and balustraded Avenue bridge which leads to yet another Tudor manor house, this time Chillington Hall, now a wedding and events venue.  The Hall is not visible from the canal and there was nowhere near to moor up and have a look - maybe on my way back.

Approaching Brewood (pronounced Brood) where I intend to stop and have a look and visit the local shops.

It was well worth the stop.  This is Speedwell Castle, on the market square and erected by an apothecary around 1740.  It is reputed he had a large win on a horse called Speedwell and used his winnings to build this dwelling.   It is now divided into flats.

 

 

It is a lovely village with a large assortment of fine houses and lots of local shops.

View from Brewood Bridge.  This section of the canal comprises very long straight sections.

The aqueduct over the A5.  Known as Watling Street and one of the most important Roman roads - running from Dover, through London, to Wales and, typically of Roman roads, extremely straight.



And at long last I have managed to get a photo of a kingfisher.  I spotted one, dropped the boat into tickover and realised there were a pair keeping just too far ahead of the boat, as usual.  Full zoom and not fantastic photos but I make no apology for including them.

So I arrived at Gnosall for the Easter banter.  Well ahead of schedule due to the good weather.  I may spend a couple of days going a bit further up before turning and getting back in plenty of time for Easter. Decisions, decisions!

10 miles; 1 locks

TOTAL:  139 miles; 36 locks

Onto the Shropshire Union

 Narrow stretch approaching Autherley Junction - fortunately I did not meet anything.

Which way am I supposed to go?

Turning onto the Shroppie.

My first heron photo - I'll try not to post anymore!

 The rape is in full flower - this is looking towards Wolverhampton and Birmingham.

Another very pleasant day and another nice mooring - second boat up.

7 miles; 1 locks

TOTAL:  129 miles; 35 locks