High Onn

Before we set off, Andrew walked into town and picked up a paper as well as some more milk and some interesting bread for lunch. So it was not until almost 10 o'clock when we set off, only to move just through the nearby bridge to the services where we emptied the elsan and disposed of rubbish.

Bright Start to the day

Tyrley Bottom Lock

Before long we arrived at the only locks for today, the Tyrley Flight of five. The approach is very wooded and enclosed but we could still see that we were joining the end of a short queue. One boat was just ascending and another was waiting. The first seem to take a long time bust was just leaving as we walked up to the lock.

The crew from the next boat told us with a mixture of amusement and frustration that the other boat had closed all paddles before attempting to open the top gate. This is always inadvisable but in this case the bottom lock was leaking very badly, possibly a failing cill. As a result the top gate was impossible to open as the water level in the lock fell several inches. In the end they had to open all three paddles again. The woman from the next boat tried to explain what they should be doping but the three men replied that they have been boating for several years and "always do it that way". One can only wonder where they have been since the locks that the rest of us have experienced nearly always need at least one paddle open until the gate seal has been broken (then the leakage is replaced by water flowing through the gap).



Top Lock Cottage

Tyrley Wharf

After that both of us followed through quite efficiently and we left the top lock about 45 minutes later. Once a busy wharf, the buildings are now private dwellings but still remind us of the original purpose of the canal, to carry freight.

We now began a very long pound - no more locks until Wheaton Aston some 17 miles away. We were not expecting to reach there until tomorrow.

The weather was very changeable - at first it was bright and sunny but as well worked through the top lock at Tyrley a light drizzle quickly changed to heavy rain. This pattern continue through the rest of the day - at least it was dry when we came to moor up for the night.

High Bridge

The next section took us through the long, narrow Woodseaves Cutting. Along with several other sections, this was cut deep into rock to take the most direct route possible, with fewest locks for boats to operate. This was Telford's style unlike the more contour-hugging construction of earlier canals. many of the bridges cross high above the water level - in this case it is imaginatively named High Bridge!

The steep sides are a continual risk of sliding and earlier this year part of this cutting slid down and blocked the canal. Enough has been cleared for boats to pass but the towpath through the cutting (even though on the opposite side to this particular fall) has been closed to walkers.

Woodseaves Cutting

Most boats on the canal are, more or less, in the same style, reminiscent of traditional working boats. Just occasionally we see something a bit different - usually with a name that suggests something special to its owners.

 

We pulled in for lunch and enjoyed another of Christine's soups (as well as the remainder of yesterday's) along with one of the loaves that Andrew bought earlier.

Another Sunny Spell

Knighton Wharf

The wharf at Knighton originally provided cover for boats loading chocolate crumb from the adjacent factory destined for Cadbury's production in Birmingham. Today the factory produces milk powder for various products including Angel Delight. Sadly, today it is all transported by road and the wharf stands idle.

Another High Bridge

At the end of Grubb Street Cutting is another High Bridge - this one retains a former telegraph pole in the middle which means that it is perhaps the most photographed bridge on the Shroppie!

Former Newport Branch

We arrived at Norbury Junction where at one time the Newport Branch once left the mainline. Today all that remains is a short mooring arm underneath Bridge 1. The former maintenance yard here is a thriving canal centre with hire boats, workshops and a cafe.

Norbury Maintenance Yard

Shelmore Stop Gate

As well as cutting, this canal has substantial embankments. Since a breach in the canal would result in a large loss of water onto roads and houses below, they are usually protected by stop gates which can be closed in an emergency to restrict the loss and damage. This one is at the south end of the Shelmore Embankment.

Cowley Tunnel

The short Cowley Tunnel was hewn from rock as well as the deep approach. It is always worth remembering how little equipment and mechanisation was available to the builders of this canal.

The Shropshire Union is famously pretty and, especially in the sunshine, it did not disappoint.

Turnover Bridge

After mooring for the night we took another look at why we continue to have battery problems. Jamie at Nantwich spent some time looking but to no avail. Whilst we established that the connections to all the batteries are intact, two out of the three have indicators that suggest that they are not fully charged. This may need access to more expertise - certainly we need better test equipment which will have to wait until we pass through a larger town to acquire.

16.0 miles - 5 locks