Gailey

Most of the morning was taken up with finishing off sorting out the inside of the boat following its re-paint. Although there had been much less dust that we had anticipated, everything still needed cleaning out - some of it probably did anyway! Not long after eleven o'clock we had unloaded the car and done enough to satisfy ourselves before setting off.


The first stop was about 25 metres from our start as we wanted to take on some more diesel for the engine and the arrival of a fuel lorry reminded us that Teddesley still sell red diesel. (They have scaled back the whole operation with the hire boats moved elsewhere and they largely undertake larger planned maintenance jobs - such as re-painting and major hull work.

By 11:30 we were off, working our way up the Staffs and Worcester, reasonably familiar territory and one of the canals we explored on our very first trip 44 years ago.

Penkridge Lock

Penkridge Lock was our first opportunity for services, including taking on water for our depleted tanks. Also there was an amount of rubbish from the unpacking activity! we were helped through the lock by two enthusiastic and interested young girls.



Filance Bridge

After a further lock, we pulled into a mooring near to Filance Bridge for lunch - a tasty sunflower bread had just been baked-off whilst we worked through the previous lock.

Below Gailey Lock

In the afternoon. the stretch up to Gailey had four locks reasonably close together and we worked turns as a steady flow of boats arrived in each direction. By now the weather was turning showery although until later its was rarely more than a dampness in the air. There was quite a group of onlookers.

Gailey Lock and onlookers

Above Gailey there is a long, level pound, passing first though the chemical works at Calf Heath. As we have probably remarked before, this is nothing like the sulphurous and mucky area that was here several decades ago. Pollution regulations have made a real impact in this sort of situation. Indeed, most of the canal through the works is now tree-lined.

Chemical Works Road Bridge

Hatherton Junction is where the Hatherton Branch joins - currently unnavigable apart from the first couple of locks which are used for permanent moorings. However, work is in progress on restoration and when complete will make a useful short cut to the north of the BCN and even perhaps through to the Coventry canal, missing out Wolverhampton and Birmingham altogether.

Start of Hatherton Branch

By now the showers were becoming heavier and the temperature was falling so by the time we had passed under Slade Heath Bridge we opted for a mooring - not necessarily the best but OK for the night! At least it meant Mike could shelter from heavy rain - but then the sun came out again.

8.7 miles - 9 locks