Coven

We departed Brewood early this morning hoping to pass through the narrows prior to Autherley Junction, without meeting too much oncoming boat traffic. We succeeded in that objective however the queue at the stop lock by the junction would slow us up a bit. We filled with water whilst waiting, and in no time it was our turn. Passing through the lock we turned left onto the Staffs and Worcs Canal. At this point on the canal we are on the outskirts of Wolverhampton. It is easy to tell when near a city, as the canal water appears black in colour. We had one further narrow section to pass through and could see a boat ahead of us, so we followed them in. We arrived at our planned mooring location between bridges 73 and 74 at about 1.30 pm. We now have a timescale of sorts to keep to, in that yesterday I booked our visit to Calcutt Boats for the 1st September. This is have our diesel heater repositioned in the engine room, to a more serviceable location. Calcutt Boats are located on the Grand Union Canal south of Braunston so we have some way to go yet. Tomorrow the weather is reported to take a turn for the worse later in the afternoon, so we will aim for another early morning start.

Total 10 Miles 1 Lock

Running total 446 Miles 215 Locks 18 Tunnels

Brewood

Just before 8.30 am we moved forward the short distance to Norbury Wharf. The diesel price here is nearly the cheapest on the canal network at 59.9 pence per litre. Knowing we would be refilling here we had run the tank lower than normal, so took on 112 litres. Our trip today took us across the substantial Shelmore Embankment, before passing through the village of Gnosall and the very short Cowley Tunnel. At Wheaton Aston we had a single lock to navigate, then two more miles to our destination at Brewood. We have now left Shropshire behind and are well into Staffordshire. Tomorrow we will leave the Shropshire Union Canal, as we head along the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal towards Coven Heath.

       

       

Totals 11 Miles 1 Lock 1 Tunnel

Running total 436 Miles 214 Locks 18 Tunnels

Brewood

As planned we departed Coven at 8 am this morning. A little over an hour later we approached the narrows prior to Autherley Junction. Fortunately, we had received a tip from our winter neighbours on the blog yesterday to send the crew ahead. This proved effective, as we met the only oncoming boat at one of the few passing places.

       

                             Entering the narrows which are cut out of the sandstone.

       

       

                                    Looking back towards the boat we met in the middle.

It was not long after exiting the narrows that we approached Autherley Junction. This is where the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal meets with the Shropshire Union Canal. Straight on was towards Stourport and the river Severn, a journey for another day. We were turning right towards Chester.

      

                            Approaching Autherley Junction and the Shropshire Union Canal.

      

      

                                                         Entering the stop lock. 

      

                                         Grooves cut into the metal by the towing ropes.

      

The stop lock at Autherley Junction is necessary, because the Shropshire Union Canal is about one foot lower than the Staffs and Worcs Canal. This was because the different canal companies at the time wanted to protect their own water, as it was a precious resource. It is possible to see how busy this junction was in its day, by the way the horse towing ropes have cut grooves into the iron work over the years. Just after the junction we stopped for water and to visit the Morrisons superstore for supplies.

After lunch we resumed our journey, now heading steadily north west. A couple of hours later we arrived at the village of Brewood, pronounced Brood. A feature of this canal is that it has some deep sided, and heavily wooded cuttings, which feel as if you are in a different world as you travel through.

      

The visitor moorings at Brewood only allow 48 hours stays, so we passed through the village centre and moored on the far side where we can remain for up to 14 days. 

     

              Mooring pins required here. Sainsbury carrier bags providing trip hazard warning.

We have also encountered for the first time the infamous Shroppie shelf. For anyone reading this not in the know, this canal has a concrete shelf running almost its entire length conveniently submerged about one foot under the water. Consequently any attempt at mooring tight into the bank is doomed to fail, and movement of the boat results in a constant annoying banging and scraping noise.

     

                    The solution, wheelbarrow wheels to hold the boat away from the shelf.

We are now settled for the weekend and will aim to move early next week, subject to the weather. Depending on our timings we may deviate on route along the Middlewich Branch to visit the Middlewich festival.

Totals 10 Miles 1 Lock

Running total 241 Miles 100 Locks 10 Tunnels