Tuesday 26 April 2011

Wolverhampton

We were up in good time to begin the repair to the engine. Alas, although we knew what needed to be done and we did indeed have a spare fan belt, it was a little on the small side and we failed to fit it. Not wanting to be without domestic electrics much longer, we opted for an RCR call out even though the normal membership does not cover this repair.

An error in recording our address meant that the engineer was a bit muddled about our location but, after a further call to us was on his way. he arrived about 10:30 and applied just a little more force than we had to succeed in persuading the fan belt into place and all now seems well. At least the batteries are being charged again.


By 11:30 we were at the top of the Wolverhampton twenty One - again the distraction of wanting to get on the road after the unexpected delay diverted us from using the camera until we were almost at the bottom of the flight. Although the flight starts its descent in commercial and industrial surroundings, by the time we neared the bottom it was already quite rural.


Despite following close behind another boat, we still managed to complete the flight in three hours. At the bottom we immediately moored up with a promise of one of Christine's famous soups for lunch, using some of the carcass remains from Sunday's roast dinner.


The route north began with an impressive turnover bridge - showing how the engineers in the past were able to combine function and form.


At one point the canal becomes very narrow and apparently carved out of rock.

Hatherton Junction is one end of the Lichfield Canal - the other end of which we saw three days ago. There
are plans to re-open what would be an important link but it seems to be some time off just yet!


At Calf Heath there used to be extensive chemical works which made this stretch a rather unpleasant link between the more attractive rural areas north and south. Most of the works have now disappeared and been replaced by small factory and warehouse units and nature is beginning to reclaim the canal surroundings.


We opted to moor before Gailey - locks and the motorway can wait til tomorrow!

No comments: