Thursday 23rd July
It was just a short distance from Autherley to Aldersley Junction where the Wolverhampton 21 begins. It was a pleasant, sometimes sunny and generally quite warm start to the day and we steadily made our way up the flight. We were told that there were a couple of boats ahead of us but we only saw three boats coming down. Much quieter than when we came the other way earlier in the summer.
Just as we entered the top lock the inevitable rain arrived - suddenly and very heavy. We moved around into Broad Street Basin where we knew that there were all the usual facilities. After completing this we moved back around the corner to tie up for lunch. Rain continued!
The afternoon was a gentle meander along the original line of the contour canal.
It was just a short distance from Autherley to Aldersley Junction where the Wolverhampton 21 begins. It was a pleasant, sometimes sunny and generally quite warm start to the day and we steadily made our way up the flight. We were told that there were a couple of boats ahead of us but we only saw three boats coming down. Much quieter than when we came the other way earlier in the summer.
Just as we entered the top lock the inevitable rain arrived - suddenly and very heavy. We moved around into Broad Street Basin where we knew that there were all the usual facilities. After completing this we moved back around the corner to tie up for lunch. Rain continued!
The afternoon was a gentle meander along the original line of the contour canal.
Coseley Tunnel - especially at the south end - looks as if it is quite rural. At Tipton Factory we took the turning to continue along the Old Main Line rather than drop down onto Telford's New Main Line. This was because we planned to explore the short Titford Branch up to Titford Pool. We passed not a single boat all the way from Wolverhampton. The water quality seems to continue to improve - for most of the way we could see right to the bottom even in the centre of the canal. at one point, the old line (which is three locks higher than the new line) passes over the branch to Netherton Tunnel as well as meeting Brades Branch which comes up to join the two lines together, midway between the ends.
At Oldbury Junction - right underneath the motorway which runs on stilts overhead - we made a very sharp turn to the bottom of the flight of six locks.
Despite our assumption that there is little traffic along this way, the locks and their mechanisms were in very good order. They are also remarkably close together. At the top of the flight is the original engine house, now a base for the Birmingham Canal Society.
There is only a short run to the end of the branch - Titford Pool is not especially photogenic! Along the way there is the Maltings - still apparently in operation. After turning around we moored just above the locks. Seems quite isolated although there is industry in evidence on both sides.
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