Netherton

By the time we were ready to set off a very heavy shower arrived and so were delayed a little. In fact, once that short shower passed, the rest of the day was dry and the evening turned sunny and warm.

Ocker Hill Junction

Filling with water

A short run to Gospel oak junction and then Ocker Hill where we stopped to use the facilities. Just as we arrived another boat came down the Tame Valley line and turned down the Walsall ahead of us. However, by the time we were ready to leave they were nowhere to be seen in the flight ahead.

Ryders Green Bottom Lock

We had eight locks to work through at Ryders Green - the first lock proved a bit of a test: the bottom gate would not open quite fully and the boat became stuck half way into the chamber. At that point it refused to reverse as well until helped by a bit of a flow from the top paddles. Once we had managed move the boat back below the gates we set about clearing the blockage - a semi-submerged log and something unknown on the bottom of the lock.

Ryders Green Flight

Several of the pounds were very slow as a result of excessive weed - and one trip down to the weed hatch.

Main Line Toll Island

Eventually we reached the top lock and headed on to the junction with the main line. One of the features of the Main Line are the toll islands. Before reaching the turn to Netherton Tunnel we stopped for a good lunch break.

Netherton Tonnel North Portal

Off again and we were soon at the northern portal of Netherton Tunnel just as two boats came through in the opposite direction. This tunnel is about the most spacious on the system and has a towpath on both sides. About three quarters of an hour later we were through at the other end.

The canal from here is a mixture of obvious industrial development and other parts which are quite green. One section showed that re-industrialisation can also bring improvements.

Blowers Green Lock

At the junction with the line that heads back into Birmingham via the Dudley Tunnel there is a sharp bend, immediately into Blowers Green Lock.

Merry Hill Waterfront

Merry Hill is an extensive development of offices and eateries with a good number of moorings, both long term and casual. The shopping centre lies just below the canal - but we were OK for supplies so passed by the very close Sainsbury.

Delph Locks Stables

The flight of locks at Delph is known as Nine Locks although they were long ago re-built into eight locks - even so the pub at the bottom is still called The Tenth Lock! The former stables can be seen alongside one of the locks. The overflow weirs are quite spectacular.

Delph Locks

The locks are comparatively deep and because of the short pounds boaters are asked to set locks ahead to avoid flooding. This makes for a real exercise with two crew - the depth of the locks limits what the steerer can do to assist.

Even so, we completed the flight in just over an hour but were keen to find an overnight mooring as soon as possible! We did so just after a bridge called Seven Dwellings Bridge! At least we were able to find a satellite signal tonight for the first time on this trip.

12.3 miles - 9 locks