Day
23: Moored at the top of Bratch Locks, Staffs and Worcester Canal
7.5
miles and 16 locks in 5 engine hours
We
knew the day would start warmly and end in rain – and so it did!
We
dropped down the last 4 locks of the Stourbridge Canal numbered 17 to
20 on my canal maps – though numbered 1 to 4 on the lock gates
(presumably the Stourton Four).
The
gardens backing the canal here are delightful.
Landscaped to make the most of the canal
Watched over by Old Mother Nature
The
bottom lock had a recording device in the corner of the lock wall. I
understand that this records the number of fills of the lock (and
depth?) and then the information is remotely transmitted by the solar
powered gadget in the black cabinet on the bank.
This
gives the monitoring team data about usage and water levels – it's
called SCADA.
SCADA devive at the Stourton Bottom Lock
We
then turned east onto the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal that
runs from Stourport-on-Severn to Great Haywood (in Staffs), where it
connects with the Trent and Mersey Canal.
It
was an early canal construction, opened throughout in 1772, so
generally follows the countour of the land as it rises up to the edge
of Wolverhampton.
It
is mosty rural and is quite isolated with old bridges and lock
design.
Circular overflow weir – typical of the Staffs and Worcs
By now, it was teeming with rain as Chris enters the lower of the 3 locks at Bratch
Originally,
a staircase design, they were changed to be effectively 3 separate
locks – although 'squashed' into to rise of the hillside
Famous photo shot of the octagonal lock house and a very wet Anton!
Looking back down the locks 30 feet rise in 3 locks
We had had enough! We pulled over at the Visitor Moorings!
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