Day 2: 12.5 miles and 10 locks
First
task of the day was to clean and wash the port side of the boat –
as the towpath changes at the top of Adderley Locks.
We
were soon up them into warmer, sunny conditions – stopping at
Alison's Adderley Farm Shop for bbq supplies.
The clean side and 'best' side
Passing
through Market Drayton, the canal surroundings have improved over the
years.
Talbot Wharf – still in operation, though very quiet?
An historic reminder!
Today’s
cruise south into open countryside was exceptional. We had soaring
buzzards, hungry herons and a dazzling kingfisher as water road
travellers. Ducklings and cygnets exploring their new world as we
took in the green vista of our wonderful countryside.
10
locks today, with the Tyrley Locks cutting through a sandstone ridge.
On
previous trips, we have found the by-wash quite severe, as the
discharge from the Wolverhampton water treatment plant provides a
guaranteed water supply.
This
time, perhaps less so and we managed with the odd bump!
Approaching Tyrley
Tyrley bottom lock
This lock was leaking badly and needed plenty of push to open
The
next section south is through the deep Woodeaves cutting. This
section of the canal, originally the Birmingham and Liverpool
Junction Canal was started in 1825, but not fully opened until 1835.
One reason was engineering challenges – including this deep cutting
where landslips occurred.
This
past very wet winter caused several more – including blockages of
navigation by trees and debris. The Canal Trust are relatively quick
in clearing these, though no doubt it is an ongoing problem.
Dappled sunlight on the cutting outcrops
Recent landslip
Hessian covering
The
deep cutting has a couple of unusual bridges.
Each bridge on the 'Shroppie' has a name – can you guess this one
(Answer at the bottom)
At
Knighton, we passed the old Cadbury's Wharf, where milk was collected
and then mixed with cocoa and sugar to make a chocolate 'crumb'. This
was then taken by canal south to the new factory at Bourneville.
Such
are the legends of the old working boat days. We celebrated their
endeavour and had an afternoon mug of tea and a chocolate biscuit.
Under the warehouse canopy
Starling rests!
We
finished our cruising day in splendid sunshine – with a cooling
breeze, heading for our mooring and a pint of Wadworth's 6X at the
Anchor Inn, Br.42.
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