Day 94 Tixall Wide to Penkridge - 9 miles and 5 locks
Day 95 Penkridge to Bogg's Lock, before Gailey - 2.5 miles and 5 locks
Day 96 Gailey Locks to Coven - 5 miles and 2 locks
We are continuing our, everso leisurely, homeward cruise along the Staffs and Worcestershire Canal. This is part of the popular Four Counties Ring - so at times quite busy, especially midmorning as boaters set off!
We last did this section as long ago as August 2005 - not a lot has changed?!
The weather has been quite gentle though Autumn has definitely arrived with colder nights and some night rain and a colder wind - interspersed with a warming sun.
Photos of the 3 days for interest.
Looking across Tixall Wide at Tixall Gate House - built in 1580. The House was built by Sir Edward Aston as his family home - though used to imprison Mary, Queen of Scots for 2 weeks in 1586. The House was demolished in 1927?
First weedhatch visit of the day - a long length of bramble from recent lockside strimming!
Although it cannot be seen - on this section after Milford, the bottom is close to the top!
Severe pruning?!
Reeds encroach - fortunately nothing coming the other way
Chris discussing matters at the Deptmore Lock - another deep one at 10' 3"
2nd visit down the weedhatch - more brambles and a thistle! Just not my day!
Mind your head! Limited room up the boaters steps at Park Gate Lock No.40
Longford Lock - looking at the traffic jam on the M6
Evening shadow - in the warm sun at Penkridge
The following day, we enter Penkridge Lock
Another one of Brindley's deep locks at 10'3"
Waiting for Chris to set the lock at Robaston Lock No.35 - less deep at 8'6"
Instructions from the Tories - here at Gailey Wharf
Gailey Round House - actually the Lock Keepers house, built around 1771. The bottom floor was the old office - now a delightful shop, where I managed to get a horse brass of the Shropshire Union Canal. The unique round structure gives good views of the canal in both directions
Petrol chemical works at Calf Heath
Looking up the derelict Hatherton Canal which rises through 17 locks to the northern BCN. Plans are in place for it's restoration which must involve new routes being taken - a major undertaken - see this interesting link
Evidence of a transhipment wharf, next to the railway approaching Slade Heath
No comments:
Post a Comment