Another day not quite as we imagined it! The weather forecast showed light rain for the late morning to early afternoon but otherwise dry. In fact, it stayed dry until around mid day when we had a short, light shower but then a few patches of blue sky arrived. Later in the afternoon, however, it very suddenly turned very wet indeed, although some sunshine returned just after we moored for the night!
At the beginning of the day we could see a CRT man working on a small inspection boat moored overnight close to us but then he came across to ask if we had heard anything in the night. The boat, which has an outboard engine, had been left there ready for a major annual inspection of the Delph and Stourbridge Locks over the next few days. However, during the night an attempt had been made to steal the engine. The control cables had been cut but it seems that either the would-be thieves were scared off or they found that they could not remove the engine. They also cut the pull cord! So, not only will there be an expensive repair bill (the cables have to be threaded through the sides of the boat, so takes a bit of time) but also the staff lined up to do the inspections, who had come by vehicles to strategic places along the route, now cannot do their job.
Our first aim was to do a larger re-stock of the almost empty stores! We walked down to Sainsbury and came back well-laden.
It was therefore quite late before we set off, with an almost immediate stop at the other end of the basin to use the sani station and rubbish disposal. No water point so that will have to wait until another place.
Our plan was to start making our way across the BCN to visit Anglesey Basin and Norton Caines - parts we have not been to for a while. Hence we headed on towards the Netherton Tunnel to join the new main Line at the other side and then to turn up the Wednesford Old Canal and down the Ryders Green Locks.
The first stage after leaving Merry Hill took us to Park Head and up the Blowers Green Lock. We had just a little rain but not to be too uncomfortable. At the junction - the Park Head locks straight ahead go up to the entrance to Dudley Tunnel which, alas, we are not small enough to pass through - we stopped at the water point in order to fill up. Service points across the BCN are not always easy to find so best to use them when we find them!
The next stage, which begins by doubling back on the valley opposite the line below Park Head, is again quite a green corridor. The modern milestones along this canal are hard to miss!
This area was once famous for the manufacture of heavy chains.
We moored for lunch at Bumblehole. Setting off again - we did not need a long siesta today - we very soon arrrived at the southern portal of the great Netherton Tunnel. Once of the last long tunnels to be created, it is large, wide and fitted with a towpath either side (although one is now not supposed to be used but the northern gate was not secure) At the halfway point we could see a light entering the tunnel from the other end. Would we be passing another boat midway? What seemed a little strange was that it kept well to the wrong side. eventually we realise that it was a cyclist coming through on the towpath with a very strong headlight!
Once through the tunnel we turned right onto the New Main Line, a wide and often straight canal that was created to speed up traffic on this important and once-busy trunk route through some of the most successful industrial areas. Thyere are still one or two signs of the heavy industry that once prevailed. At times we could see into some of the large sheds which appeared to have some serious metal bashing machinery!
By now some blue patches broke through the clouds and it was almost sunny. We began to have hopes for a pleasant afternoon as we dropped down the eight Ryders Green Locks.
At Pudding Green Junction we made sharp turn left onto the Wednesbury Old Canal, with a short run to Ryders Green Junction where the locks continue straight ahead with the short Ridgeacre Branch turning off to the right.
Mike jumped off the boat to make the first lock ready for Christine to bring the boat in, but quickly saw something not right. Both top paddles were locked and one had an explanatory notice. The bottom balance beam had broken on 23 June and the flight is closed whilst it is replaced! We must have received the stoppage notice but not registered it as at the time we were not planning on being anywhere near here!
There was nothing for it but to turn around and make quick new plans. It was too far to take the indicated alternative via the centre of Birmingham - there are several long flights of locks and we do not have quite enough time.
Our new plan was to turn back on the Main Line as far as the next junction and then take the Gower Branch link up to the Old Main Line and head for the Dudley Canal Museum.
As soon as we set off, heavy rain arrived rather suddenly and by the time we reached Pudding Green it was, to use a technical boating term, bucketing down!
Just before joining the Old Main Line there are three Brades Locks - the first is an ordinary lock but the other two form a staircase.
The rain was now much less but as we reached the staircase, Mike's camera stopped working - was it too much rain? We will have to discover whether it will recover a little later. As a result, we do not have a photo of what happened next. (Much later note: seems to have recovered OK!)
Christine had gone ahead to prepare the staircase only to discover the middle gate open and the top lock very empty. After shutting it we were able to restore order - bottom lock empty and top lock full before starting to pass through. we could see, however, that the bottom gates for both locks were leaking very badly at the cill so what may have happened was that the leakage emptied both locks and allowed the middle gate to swing open. Fortunately, there was a good seal at the top gate.
Fortunately we have a spare camera, older and not as good in low light, but at least we can hope to take some pictures.
The rain continued gently as we made our way along the Old Main Line, also known as the Wolverhampton Level, until we arrived at Tipton Junction and turned up the short arm to the Dudley Tunnel where we were able to find a secure mooring for the night. at first we thought all the good mooring were full - there were plenty just a short distance back - but locals pointed out one remaining space!
The reason for stopping here is so that we can take a short trip into the tunnel tomorrow, as long as the official boat trips are running!
Shortly after we arrived, the rain stopped and before long there was a clear blue sky!
13 miles - 4 locks
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