Retracing our steps through Stourton Junction
Because the weather over the last couple of weeks has put us even further behind schedule (and we had caught up so much we were, at one stage, only one day behind schedule) and as the forecast for the next week is not too good as a low pressure system continues to hand over the UK, L and I decided to play it safe and take the shortest route home. We are now retracing our steps to Autherley Junction from where we will continue up the Staff & Worces to Haywood Junction where we will turn south onto the Trent and Mersey.
Luckily we didn't make up the time to make Lawrence's schedule, otherwise we would be stuck on the River Severn now, tied up on some lock landing and not being able to move until the river levels go back down. Justin was telling us yesterday that none of his other 4 hire boats could get back to Barton Turns Marina by this morning because of the widespread flooding and consequent river closures. He has had to arrange with other marinas to allow the boats to moor. Justin then planned to drive cleaners, mechanics, their gear and clean linen to where each of the boats would be & while each was cleaned and serviced, drive the hirers and their gear back to Barton Turns Marina, pick up the new clients & their gear and return to the boat, that will by this time have had a pump out, water fill, fuel fill, and been cleaned with beds made up and been serviced. Then take the cleaners and mechanics on to where the next boat is and repeat the whole process again. The problem being that Barton Turns Marina is on a part of the T&M that has River Trent sections either side of the marina.
The Stourbridge Canal
We saw quite a bit of carnage from the storms that wasn't there when we came down the canal
A fisherman sets up his gear for a days fishing
Water from this lake is flowing into the canal
The confluence of the Smestow Brook (on the right) and the River Stour
I had a day of no locks, thanks to Tim and Mike, and as I lounged around on the stern chatting to Lawrence he volunteered that the thought, overall, this was the most beautiful canal we have been on. It is the untamed wooded bits that make it so special.
back passed Mr Massey's garden
We stopped above Greensforge Lock on the water point and devised a cunning plan. While we filled with water L showered and I stole his discarded clothes (L didn't know about that part of the plan) and put them in some very hot water with a good dollop of every cleaning liquid to hand, to soak. We then moved the boat onto the end of the visitor moorings. Walked back to the lock and visited the Navigation Inn for lunch. Got there at 12.00 and ordered lunch. Turned out to be good timing as it bucketed down whilst we were eating.
Tim and Mike spotted this bin at the side of the pub. They thought would be a good spot to put Lawrence to contain his crumbs :) :)
Back to the boat, ran the engine for 1/2 and hour or so to heat the water. Mike & Tim showered, L backed the boat onto the water point. While Lawrence & Mike topped up the tank I gave L's clothes a good pounding and rinsed them and Tim and I wrung them out.
Continuing on up the canal, we went through three more locks, passing this little chappie on the way
A rather tired old house at the bottom of the Botterham Staircase Locks which raise the canal by 20 feet 3 inches.
Had a quick stop at Wombourne Bridge for an essentials buy milk, bread and icecream, chocolate AND chocolate eclairs. Don't accuse ME - I was with L, minding the boat!
About 4.30 we set off again and before long Tim and Mike were working us up through Bumble Hole Lock.
We moored up at the bottom of the Bratch Locks about 5.45pm. Managed to hang the wet clothes out in the sun for a couple of hours and to enjoy it ourselves before it clouded over again.
It came out again , not long before sunset.
6 3/4 miles, 9 locks, 8 hrs 45 minutes
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