Fradley

Although the forecast had promised rain all day, it began grey and quite warm. However, by early afternoon rain did indeed arrive, lightly at first but by the time we moored for the night it was quite heavy. Still, we also received the notices from Waterscape announcing that improved reservoir levels mean that some of the restrictions have been eased considerably. We could, now, go via Leicester which is what we had originally planned but, as it happens, we have enjoyed the slightly longer route some of which we have not done for a while and we did go through Leicester last year.

Although this section does not have many locks, it does mean that we can take time to look more closely at the surrounding scenery - Christine spotted a couple of interesting trees.

May blossom seems to be late this year and only just breaking out, although other types are happily making a good display.

Canal architecture varies considerably from one canal company to another. Some of the original bridges on this section of the Birmingham And Fazeley (which divides the Coventry Canal into two) have a store in the bridge itself for the stop planks which could be fitted into slots either side of the narrowest section under the bridge - in case of a need to prevent water loss if the canal bank was breached.

Some wooded sections were again very pretty as the trees gradually spring into leaf. However, the foliage is still thin enough to reveal the underlying structure of branches.

We have noticed before that the area around Hopwas has some extensive strawberry and asparagus production under huge polytunnels. We also saw a large potato farm.

Huddlesford Junction

We passed through Huddlesford Junction, although the detached part of the Coventry canal began a little earlier at Whittington. The arm, now a short section used for moorings, was once part of the Wyrley and Essington (Curly Wurly), joining up with the remaining part north of Birmingham at Ogley Junction.

We stopped for lunch and just as we set off we passed by yet another marina development - so-called Kings Orchard Marina. Despite the enthusiastic sign - and grand plans on their web site, not much seemed to be happening although a large muddy hole has been excavated and partly piled. We are not the first to notice this situation (see for example http://www.narrowboatworld.com/index.php/victor-swift/4344-victor-has-a-wet-one?start=5) and it appears that work stopped a couple of years ago.

Shortly before we reached Fradley Junction we had to pass a fallen tree partially blocking the canal. We had been warned by a passing boat earlier, but even so it was tricky as the part of the canal not covered by the tree is extremely shallow and we struggled to get through (but did not take anything like as long as the ten minutes claimed by our informant!)

Swing Bridge at Fradley

The arrival at Fradley is marked by a small swing bridge across a former stop narrows, presumably arranged to facilitate the collection of tolls from the cargo carrying boats.

We stopped to use the services at the wharf below the first lock. Although the BW information centre has now closed for financial reasons (or so it claims) an old van has been left behind!

At the next lock there is a small footbridge just below the lock between it and the accommodation bridge. A new wooden handrail has recently been added - we presumed that this is one of the unplanned works which have been undertaken following the unfortunate accident when a young boy ignored No Cycling signs at Stourport and fell into the lock. Some Health and Safety initiatives are clearly useful (for example the provision of ladders down into all locks) but this does seem to be rather excessive. After all, most locks still have boards on the gates to allow crew to cross from one side to the other with unprotected drops to one side!

After another lock we opted to moor for the night as it was now very wet and there was only a short run to Barton Marina where we plan to leave the boat for the next month whilst we are back at home, alas. We have confirmed the booking by email and Mike now has to check his travel arrangements for collecting the car from Milton Keynes tomorrow afternoon.

11.2 miles - 4 locks