Tardebigge and Stoke Prior

Canal Today - Worcester and Birmingham

After the first hour, there is not really a lot to say about today that cannot be summed up in one word: locks! Thirty six of them . . .

A bright start to the day

It was again a rather chilly day but only one very short shower. Most of the time there was plenty of blue sky about but as we were navigating down the Tardebigge Flight we were content that it was not blazing hot. (Some people are just never satisfied!)

Shortwood Tunnel

We had a little way to go, however, before beginning our marathon with two tunnels, Shortwood and Tardebigge to go through first. In the tunnels we did yesterday and the first today we did not meet any boats coming the opposite direction but our luck finally ran out over half way through the last tunnel when a boat entered from the other end. However, these tunnels are more than wide enough for two way working and we passed with only a slight reduction in cruising speed and without crashing into the sides.

Tardebigge Tunnel

We were in urgent need of a sani station (the one at Kings Norton has long been abandoned) so we pulled in to the wharf just after the last tunnel and a short distance before the top lock. Just our luck: as we were completing our disposal tasks (no need for water today) another boat came down and started on the locks ahead of us. With not many boats coming up, we therefore had most of the locks against us today. Christine spotted this late duckling close to the boat and was also impressed by the local church noticeboard.

Before the last tunnel we could see the local church steeple and, from the top lock it is a lot closer and we could see just how elegant it looks.

Tardebigge Church Steeple

That said, we quickly fell into our usual routine and dropped down lock after lock. Christine was setting, coming back some of the pounds to close bottom locks, whilst Mike dropped the boat down and occasionally closed gates before leaving. The locks are quick to empty and Mike found that after having lifted both bottom paddles, walked to the other end of the lock to take a photo and then back to the bottom the gates were ready to open.

Tardebigge Top Lock

The top lock (59) was a little different, having been built much later than the others to replace the original boat lift which proved unreliable. As a result it is almost twice the depth of the others and a short distance away. All the other locks are very close together. The flight is not straight and so there is no opportunity to see more than two or three at a time.

Horse in pyjamas

A few locks down we saw a field of horses - this one looked as if it was still in its pyjamas.

At Lock 54 the Tardebigge reservoir came into view - an important supply of water to a thirsty flight of locks. Although some of the pounds dropped below the weir level by the amount needed to fill one lock, most of the weirs were running well so no problems today on that score.

Lock 43 and rain joined us but lasted only for about one lock before clearing and then staying dry for the rest of the day.

Below Lock 40 the cottage seems to house an outpost of GCHQ! (There is another mast just out of this shot!)

About two thirds of the way down we met a boat coming up with a group of lads at the start of their hire and were not yet well organised. As a result we had almost twenty minutes delay and a chance to share out the last of the pork pie and the cheese and tomato loaf we bought yesterday. Enough to keep us going.

Four hours and thirteen minutes after entering the top lock, here we were, 30 locks later, emerging from the bottom lock. As it happened, the boat ahead of us had gradually slowed down and they were just leaving the last lock as we arrived. So, our earlier delay would not have added to our time overall. Pity, we would have liked to check in a time under four hours, the magic time for many boaters.

Most of the locks have their number inscribed in a large stone at the lock tail - we cannot recall such large numbers elsewhere.

As soon as we could find a space we gratefully moored up for a breather. We did not feel like catching up on lunch but a break was most welcome. However, the gap before the next lock hardly makes it worth calling it a different flight: the six Stoke Locks.

Stoke Works Wharf Entrance

We completed this flight in just under an hour and then it was definitely time to moor for the night. Not the most scenic area as this was once the large Stoke Works, a salt factory. There is now little left to show for it, other than a wharf entrance and a former pump house, where we moored.

 

 

John Corbett (born 1817) is a classic example of how people (mostly men) were able to come from humble backgrounds and rise to great wealth by taking advantage of the vast expansion of industry. His father was a canal boatman on the Dudley Canal. 

Mike was determined to seek a paper and we had understood that there were shops not far from bridge 42. In the end he did find a paper at Stoke Prior Post Office and 'open all hours convenience store' but not the brown sugar that Christine sought for tonight's sausage casserole. But it was about 15 minutes brisk walk!

6.4 miles - 36 locks