The reflections were amazing
The Shropshire Union Canal was really turning it on for our last hour on her.
The narrows before
a bit of a shock to the system - going under the noisy and fast M54
This is called spot the heron
Drawing ever closer to Wolverhampton there were still some lovely rural vistas upon which to feast the eye
and the reflections continued to
mesmerise
and even though it was still so early we enjoyed soaking up the sun as we took it all in
Heron taking flight. I'm afraid herons are going to feature rather heavily today
And a bit further along, a different heron
A splendid mother duck and her 8 adolescents. The norm is only to have 1-3 offspring left alive at this stage.
In the stop lock just before the junction. Only a few inches deep it served two functions. One was as a place to collect tolls and the other to stop the water of the SUC flowing into the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal (commonly known as the Staff&Worcs)
The lads, enjoying themselves and paying no attention whatsoever to the business of boating
20 metres after the lock we went under the very handsome snake bridge and made the right hand turn onto the Staff&Worcs Canal and were soon going under the impressive twin railway bridges.
Construction of this navigation was begun immediately after that of the Trent & Mersey. Engineered by James Brindley it was part of his Grand Cross plan for canals to join the great sea ports of Hull, Liverpool, Bristol and London. Running for 74km from the River Severn at Stourport in Worcestershire to the Trent & Mersey Canal at Haywood Junction near Stafford, the canal took 5 years to construct and was opened throughout in 1772.
Aldersley Bridge with the Birmingham Canal junction just beyond.
While trying to find out what the remains of the old building were
I came across this old image labelled Tollkeepers House, Aldersley Junction.
The canal is far more attractive today
Looking back toward Compton
This part of the canal is surprisingly rural considering it skirts around and through the outer edge of Wolverhampton.
Looking down from Wightwick Lock,
our fourth lock of the day
Some time after 10.30am we moored up just after Wightwick Bridge for some long delayed breakfast and a cup of coffee and to discuss the possible routes for the remainder of our trip with regard to the long range weather forecast.
L's idea of cruising down the Severn River, looking increasingly unlikely due to the forecast as rising river levels would prevent us getting onto the river we looked at our other options, all of which gave us time up our sleeves.
So with no route planned and the rain holding off we decided to visit the NT property, Wightwick Manor (pronounced Witick) set in 17 acres of beautiful Edwardian gardens. Built between 1887-1893 in, I suppose you would call it, mock medieval style. The interior features many original wall papers and fabrics by William Morris and is furnished in the arts and crafts style.
After the short walk up the hill from the canal we entered the grounds and walked up through the formal garden toward the manor
Lawrence and Tim, were once again into heavy political discussion. This particular topic 'the failure and fall of western democracy - is it an evolutionary progression or is it planned' has been going on all morning, whenever Lawrence and Tim get within close proximity of each other.
We explored the gardens and grounds while the rain held off
A pic of me, just to prove I'm not lying on a lounge chair in the sun in the South of France, making this all up. L looking his elegant best in his Qatar jim jam bottoms, having failed to catch his jeans as they ran around the floor of the boat this morning. Not, I notice, I look any better - but my clothes are much cleaner :)
Chimney detail. There was not one part of this structure left undecorated
The Mathematical Bridge, with a slattered walk way across a road far beneath, it was quite scary to cross.
After touring the gardens Tim decreed it was time for lunch. Then it was time to tour the interior of house.
With T&M having more appreciation for William Morris wallpapers and tapestries, paintings by Rosetti and cluttered interiors etc than their antipodean cousins, L and I were through the house and out the exit sooner than the lads. We relaxed on a bench over looking the back of the house and some of the outbuildings while we waited, happily watching bumblebees who had taken up residence in the wall of the old brew house.
Tim rescuing one of the said bumblebees, from the path where it would have met a certain death.
Note how clean and manicured his hands are - obvioualy not enough lock working - will have to remedy that!
We indulged in some cake and tea, to fortify us for our walk back through the grounds and down to the canal. On the left a gorgeous Copper Beech beside the lake.
The forecast rain held off and we took advantage and continued on down the canal, setting off again at 4.00pm
Though the sky grew darker, the wind kept rising and with the temperature plummeting, the rain still held off so we passed on by the moorings at the top of Dimmingsdale Lock and continued on down through the lock.
Elder flower from which the cordial is made
This heron obligingly stayed put on the pipe while we motored underneath.
Awbridge Lock, unusual bridge and huge gate beams on these locks. And just FYI the bottom gates on this lock weighed 1970kgs each!
By now it was beginning to spit
and we were on the lookout for a mooring. How about here I said, opposite a gap in the hedge. No I was told,
we had to tuck in behind the hedge, we therefore continued on for another 100 metres or so and at 5.45pm moored up at tight beside a thick bit of high hedge opposite a cricket ground just as the spitting turned to steady drizzle.
And drizzle it did, all night, sometimes turning to what we Australians would call rain.
7 miles, 7 locks, 5 1/4 hours cruising
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