Away from Stourbridge

We had driven up from Cornwall yesterday with Alice and Jess, the two younger grandchildren who had been staying with us for the past week, and slept overnight at their house in Windsor.

This morning we set off from there, with Alice, to drive up to Stourbridge where we had left the boat for the last few days, arriving there in good time just a little after mid day. A quick look at the boat and we returned to the car to visit the town centre shops - there is a pleasant collection of small shops including several independent butchers. We also stocked up from Waitrose - we should now have enough for several days, apart from milk.

We moved down from the mooring to the nearby Waterways water point where we could also conveniently unload the car whilst filling up with water and having a late lunch.

Water lilies near Stourbridge

By three we were ready to depart - Alice enjoyed being able to sit on the stern seats alongside Mike as he steered his way back along the arm into Stourbridge. Although this area is known to others for its concentration of glass factories, to boaters it is known for the pretty water lilies which grow well with little traffic to disturb them.

Wordsley Junction Bridge

Soon we arrived at Wordsley Junction and turned down the Stourbridge Canal - the other way lay the Dudley Canal which we came down a week ago.

Stourbridge Top Lock

Another pleasant level stretch brought us eventually to the top of the four Stourbridge Locks which took us down to the Staffs and Worcester. Alice opted to get off the boat to help Mike with the locks although at the second lock we were also helped by a young boy and girl who were out cycling with their Mother. They had not seen a lock worked before so were pleased to 'have a go'.

Stourton Junction Bridge

At the bottom lay Stourton Junction - soon after turning left we encountered Stewponey Lock which has a Toll House dating back to 1772.

Stewponey Lock Toll house

Dursley Tunnel may be one of the shortest on the system but clearly was originally hewn out of rock. A short while later we moored up for our evening meal and a chance for Alice to practice lots of reading and to write up her diary.

Dursley Tunnel

4 miles - 5 locks