Wednesfield

We were off to a good start with the Wolverhampton 21 ahead of us. The weather was dry but dull and quite cool to start with. But first we had about an hour and a half cruising, passing Coven Heath and Autherley Junction as well as passing through the narrow Pendeford rock cutting which is quickly followed by a huge line of tall trees that shield a school playing field.

Pendeford Rock Cutting

It was just 10 o'clock when we arrived at the bottom lock but after half an hour we had only completed a couple of locks as a result of slow traffic coming down the flight.

Heron at Autherley Junction

Small boat people required?

Wolverhampton Bottom Lock 21

After the first third we seemed to have passed everyone that was coming down and only saw another couple much later.

Wolverhampton Top Lock and Cottages

In the end it was only ten minutes over the three hours before we pulled into Broad Street basin and tied up for lunch.

Broad Street Basin

We had planned to go shopping in Wolverhampton but by now we were beginning to get reports of disturbances in the town centre - along with so many other towns across the country. we were not desperate for supplies so opted to carry one but first we visited the BW basin just the other side of Broad Street bridge for the usual range of services.

It was nearly three o'clock before we finally set off again having had extended discussion about our route, further compounded by a forecast of very wet weather tomorrow. In the end we went back to Plan A and at Horseley Fields we turned on the Curly Wurly (or Wyrley and Essington to give it its proper name!)

Sculpture at old railway bridge

We had expected plenty of weed and after about half a mile we did indeed have to stop and open the weed hatch. However, it was weed of the polythene variety and thick with it! the water was actually very clear - it is very rare that it is possible actually to see what is around the prop, normally it is a matter of fishing around in the murk.

Polythene Weed

We could easily see that the canal is well stocked with fish - we are not sufficiently expert to be able to report on the variety - and in many places there are very pretty water lilies.

In Wednesfield Mike spotted a Sainsbury supermarket just across the road from the canal so, whilst he added a couple more restraining hooks to the cupboard doors (these we had sourced from the internet over the last break away from the boat) Christine went off, returning with several bags of shopping a little later. Alas they had sold out of papers - apart from the Irish Times and one or two other exotic publications.

Duck Castle

We trundled on, not quite sure where we might moor but with the possibility of Roughwood Country Park in our minds. Along the way we passed one very up market duck castle - no doubt someone's idea of a comment on MP's expenses. Quite a few people stopped to warn us not to go back to Wolverhampton - kind of them but there are precious few winding holes along here so it was not actually an option, even if we had thought about doing so! The views expressed about rioters were definitely very firm!

It was now a lovely sunny late afternoon and so we did continue to the Country Park although we were so far from the bank that it felt as if we had pulled up the drawbridge.

Moored at Northwood Country Park

10.4 miles - 21 locks