BCN - Wolverhampton 21 to Gas Street Basin, Birmingham Part 1

Wolverhampton 21

The day we planned to take on the '21' our travel pack(charges the batteries thus giving us electricity) went crackle, crackle and sent out a burning odour. Trev has done a temporary repair but it means our route to the Oxford Canal will be the longer via the Coventry Canal calling at Atherstone and a firm called Cox who specialise in Travel Pack repair.

The following day horrendous weather was forecast so a executive decision was made to sit it out....and we waited and waited!!!

We are now on plan C set off come what may....

and we did in the rain!!!!

A mile up from Autherley Junction on the Staffs and Worcester Canal lies Aldersley Junction and the bottom of the '21'

With the lock set against us Dave and Beryl help to get us started.

A boat coming down is always a welcome sight.

Fen keeps a close eye on his pack

At lock 15 I enlisted the help of a friendly walker.The Science Park lies beyond.

From Lock 15 to lock 4 they come thick and fast and set against us which means I have to empty them before Trev is able to bring in Arkholme.

Come on keep up now!!!

With the weather brightening up those at the top have begun to move .

From here on the locks were in our favour, thankfully as my ankle was now giving me 'gyp'!!!!

A 'Virgin' moment. I wonder if Lucy is on that on her way to London.

At last lock 1 is in sight.

The canal guide says of the top lock "with its weeping willows, rabbit holes and picturesque pair of BCN cottages- the canal widens into a landscaped area where fairly salubrious visitor moorings are provided for overnight stops......now there lies another story.....

2 miles, 21 locks, 4 1/2 hours and one exhausted lockee.

High Offley to Autherley Junction

Leaving High Offley we have 19 miles to the end of the Shroppie.  We are then heading into Birmingham, not recommended in half term.

Grub Street Cutting

and the iconic High Bridge with its double arch and telegraph pole.

A quick stop at Norbury Junction to attend to 'housekeeping'.

Surprise visitors at Gnosall Heath. 

Bank Holiday dinner guests, Dave and Beryl.

Cowley Tunnel, first one of the cruise and only 81 yards long.  It was intended to be 690 yards long, but most of it was opened out during construction because of dangerous faults in the rock.

It is also the only tunnel on the Shropshire Union.

Turn Over Bridge where the towpath swop's sides, built like this to allow the

 horses to carry on pulling the working boat without having to be unhitched.

A rare moment when I am allowed to steer.

Turner's Garage, canalside, Wheaton Aston....

Filling with Diesel boater style and Trev is one happy chappie at 58.9p per litre.

Dave on his way to pay. Another happie chappie!!!

Moored at Wheaton Aston.

View from the side hatch...

and a very welcoming hostelry with excellent food and good beer.  So good in fact we visited twice.

Mr and Mrs Swan and family....

Full steam ahead for Wheaton Aston Lock

Trev sitting it out while Beryl and I get Sokai through the lock.

Arkholme's turn and Fen is keeping guard.

Lapley Wood....

and our escort.

Moored at Brewood, a lovely village with a butchers selling tasty pies and a bakers selling the best vanilla slices ever.  Alas it has a dodgy internet/phone signal.

Leaving Brewood and the canal is opening out now.

Truly a out door gym!!!!

What big horns you have!!!!

The ornate Avenue Bridge which leads to Chillington Hall.

Approaching Wolverhampton Boat Club.

The suburbs of Wolverhampton begin to creep in.

Autherley Stop Lock where Napton Narrowboats are based.

It's been 66 1/2 miles since we left Ellesmere Port passing through 47 locks and we have loved every minute of it.

We take a right at the junction and moor ready to take on the 'Wolverhampton 21' on Monday. To the left is Great Heywood and the Trent and Mersey Canal.

Until then it's  a Morrison shop boater style.

View from the side hatch. Who would think we are
on the outskirt's of Wolverhampton. 

SCORES ON THE DOORS

95 Miles, 55 Locks, 9 Swing Bridges and 1 Tunnel