Kidderminster

We were all ready to set off by half past nine and before long we were at our first lock of the day - Hyde Lock. The weather forecast was for rain all day - and the rest of the week. However, it was very different, a bright sunny day with just a sprinkling of small, fluffy clouds.




Overflow Weir at Hyde Lock

 Many of the locks on this canal have quite special overflow weirs, designed no doubt to allow them to work well in high water levels.

We stopped at Kinver services for the usual range of activities - whilst Mike was finishing off, Christine and Alice set off to Kinver Lock to prepare it. Unfortunately, another boat overtook us and was quite rude to Christine as she was allowing another boat to come up: the lock was already half empty.

This is one of the prettiest stretches of canal and frequently rock faces line at least one bank.

Also the locks are spread out so that there is a lot of hopping on and off but with such pleasant weather this was just fine. Alice took part, now knowing quite well the procedure for going down a lock.

Cookley Tunnel

Just after passing through the short Cookley Tunnel we pulled in for lunch. However, it was a shorter break as we were keen to make progress. At Debdale Lock we encountered a short fibre glass boat whose only windlass had broken so Mike had to work them through. The rock face beside the lock has a small room cut into it. The crew of a boat coming up told us about a rude boater going down - turned out to be the same one that Christine encountered this morning!

Kinver Church Overlooking Canal

The church at Kidderminster overlooks the lock - a painter was capturing the view, one which he told us is especially popular as the boats and the trees add an interesting variety of colour.

We were now following another boat that was holding us up - they spent almost ten minutes turning around at a winding hole and then crawled along for the rest of the afternoon, taking a long time at each lock.

Kidderminster Road Bridge

The canal at Kidderminster lock is close to a new road bridge and appears to make its way under the road with some difficulty!

Converted Mill in Kidderminster

A large Debenhams store and a Frankie and Bennies restaurant now occupy a former mill building. The route through the town is now quite pleasant and there is little evidence of the industry that once lined the banks.

Falling Sands Railway Viaduct

Beyond the town a railway viaduct (Severn Valley Railway) strides across the canal and river valley and a little later there are the remains of a bridge across the entrance into a lock down to the river.

Entrance to Former River Lock

When we moored it was a pleasant evening - soon to be time for roast chicken!

9.1 miles - 10 locks