A grey day but just as forecast and, despite a couple of threats, it remained dry until we moored.
Mike and Jess opted to go in search of a supermarket as soon as they were ready but found that they could not easily get out to the road! As a result they pushed the boat across to the opposite side of the canal where there was a space vacated one of the overnight moorers. This meant that they could go out through the security gate.
It was not too far - about ten minutes - to Tipton Shopping Centre, really just a late twentieth century development of sundry small shops but including a Co-Op supermarket. Whilst they managed to find almost all of the things they had been sent to get, including the newspaper, but they did not stock one item. As a result we had to call at a Nisa store on the way back which did stock it!
The others were almost ready by now (OK, so Christine had been so busy sorting out the girls that she was behind schedule herself but as there were no locks for several miles, Mike set off anyway). The first task was to wind the boat (turn it around) in the entrance to the museum's boat basin - only just enough room. We then spotted nb Harnser which had sneaked in whilst Mike and Jess were at the shops. Theirs is one of the blogs on our read-list and our paths had not crossed hitherto. However, all that we could do was to exchange a cheery wave as we completed the turn.
Not sure whether we have commented on this rather splendid building before - just after we returned to the Old Main Line, but it is surrounded by several quite recent buildings and looks as if it is a well preserved old building. Not yet discovered what are its origins.
We also follow nb Hadar's blogs and knew that they had been at the museum moorings a few days earlier but we learnt yesterday from the trip boatman that they had left shortly before we arrived. Their blog last night said that they were moored about half a mile further on at one of the designated visitor moorings for Tipton. Indeed they were there, with Keith and Jo chatting to a couple from another boat so it was yet another cheery wave from us and pass on. We have seen their boat before but on that occasion they were not at home. They retired from full time coal selling - they were a well known service to boaters especially on the Leicester Branch of the Grand Union. Again, we had heard that they were again selling and indeed they had a sign out but we guess that they do not do the mileage that they once did.
Our slightly ageing Nicholsons marks a Foundry on this site. We will have to see if we can find out a bit more about what was once here. Hopefully the land will find a new use before long.* (see end)
The first nesting bird we have caught sight of this year - this huge swan's nest looks like it will help raise a good family.
Nearing Wolverhampton we arrived at these bridge replacement works. The new deck was lifted into place over the Easter break. However we had missed the notice about these works when we checked the list at the service block in Dudley yesterday - officially there are only two one hour slots when boats are allowed to pass through but the workmen must have taken pity on us as they opened up a gap to let us through.
A long length of the towpath is being upgraded to make it more attractive for cyclists - one small criticism is that they seem to be preparing the foundations the whole way, leaving quite an uncomfortable surface for now with the tarmac to do in one go later on. Not sure what it does for bicycle tyres in the meantime.
One short section that has been finished off is the service mooring at Broad Street Basin - looks so much better than when we have called here in the past.
We had a good elevenses on the move (Two Nutella on brioche for Alice! The rest of us made do with the remainder of the hot cross buns nicely toasted) so that by the time we arrived at Wolverhampton, just before 12:30, none of us was ready for lunch. Hence we started off down the flight, planning to stop mid-flight at some convenient time and place.
The girls came out to help from time to time, disappearing back inside whenever they wished. When out, Alice especially was a great help as it meant that Christine could stay one lock ahead, setting it ready, and Mike did not have to do his usual trick of closing the gates whilst holding the boat on a long line to prevent it drifting away from the bottom lock exit!
The day was so grey that it was not worth taking too many photos. After Lock 13 we felt that there was enough space to tie up for lunch (Most of the pounds so far are rather short for stopping) - by now it was after two o'clock and people did feel a bit peckish.
After a good break we continued, the pounds towards the bottom of the flight stretch out a little. Just before the bottom of the flight we could see Wolverhampton Racecourse trough the trees. A lot of horse boxes were parked up and people were inspecting the course. We discovered later that there is a 'twilight' meeting tonight.
At the last lock, a group of teenage girls we quite happy to have a go at working the bottom gates for us.
At this point we turned northwards onto the Staffs and Worcester for about a mile, tying up at Autherley Junction, almost opposite Oxley Marine where we are due on Sunday morning.
Mike and Jess then walked to the bus stop to check on times for tomorrow - Mike and the girls will need to take this bus to the railway station for the girls trip back home and for Mike to collect the car.
After that a cup of tea and time for Mike to finish off one of the locker covers that he lined with decking earlier in this trip. He had omitted to restore the notice about the gas bottles being underneath and this would have surely been spotted by the BSS Examiner which should be inspecting the boat for our five yearly renewal.
Christine and Alice then walked to the supermarket in Pednesford. A birthday card is need for tomorrow!
8.9 Miles - 21 Locks
* Later research indicates that this was the Beans Foundry, started in 19th century but also known as A Harper Sons and Bean Ltd who started car manufacture in 1919. It seems that the company prospered in the First World War, manufacturing arms, especially shells. At the end of the war they needed new opportunities and so they turned to the new business of cars and later light commercial vehicles, The Beans car marque was initially one of the most successful. see http://cotswoldclassiccar.com/classic-cars-for-sale/bean-model-12-119hp-roadster.php for one example. In 1992, Beans bought the failing Reliant car company but failed to turn it around and its debts brought down the whole Beans group.
The site was cleared in 2008 but there are re-development plans (housing of course!) see http://coseleypark.com/
Spotted the boat moored at the museum and saw you wind, looks as if you had a full day at the museum
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