The weather forecast for today is that it will be very sunny and as hot as it has been this year so far (it was correct!). As we have quite a few locks ahead of us we planned on having a longer lunch break than usual so set off in good time, with a clear blue sky all around. Not a cloud to be seen.
Whilst it was a very pleasant day and scenery to match, it was 'just' a day of dropping down one lock after another. None of them were especially difficult but most were set against us.
Thought we would try a panorama shot of the bottom gates - makes the balance beams look quite strange!
Awbridge lock has an unusual bridge parapet as seen from below.
Just above the lock is a solid fuel supply centre and one fuel boat was busy loading up sacks of coal. Another was waiting to be loaded.
After three locks we arrived at the famous Bratch set of three. Although they have to be worked as a staircase, there is actually a gap of a few feet in between each of them. A side pond balances the water levels but it is important that the lower lock is filled before the upper one is emptied. However, a full time lock keeper is employed here, helped by a volunteer. In busier times he has to regulate the traffic and historically the 'three up, three down' is the rule applied. No big queues this year so far and just one arrived whilst we were descending and so ha d a short wait. We followed a boat down so had no delay at all.
Presumably this bridge below Bumblehole Lock was intended to allow access across to the lock cottage but today it is blocked off.
After Bumblehole we arrived at Botterham Two Locks (Oh look - there's some cloud!) - a real staircase this time. Just for once, having a boat just ahead was actually a help. If, what is normally hoped for, a boat had just come up, then we would have had to empty the lower lock first.
We also noticed that the intermediate paddles are clearly from the BCN - wonder what the history to this was.
At Swindon Lock there is an unusual version of the traditional kissing gate for the pedestrian access.
Not all of the overflow weirs are circular - this one at Hinksford looks especially impressive. Nothing purely functional about these designs although it is worth taking a look at how the weir channels the water around so that it can overtop all the way around, not just at the entrance.
We stopped a little before Greensforge Lock for an extended lunch break/siesta, setting off again some two hours later, only to take another pause above the lock for the sani station and water point.
The afternoon was just as bright and blue.
At Gothersley Lock, the last before Stourton Junction, a CRT person was painting the balance beams. Fortunately his paint dries fast! he also explained that the damaged parapet was the result of a car finding an alternative route with satnav when the nearby main road was closed. The driver took the bend too quickly and this was the result. Local youngsters have since made off with spare bricks - or are they in the canal?
The next section, up to the junction, is very green and rather pretty.
At Stourton Junction we left the Staff and Worcs and entered the Stourbridge Canal. Immediately we ascended the Four Locks - fortunately this time they were all set ready for us.
At the top we did not go far before findung a rural mooring, slightly later than usual but still with time to enjoy the summer sunshine.
9.5 miles - 19 locks
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