West Mids Meander: Day 16

We did exactly today’s trip six years ago.  This morning we left at about 8.15 and about 45 minutes later moored up outside Tesco in Brownhills for some shopping for the next few days.  Once that was done we turned left at Catshill Junction, which is actually staying on the mainline of the W&E Canal.  It’s not until Ogley Junction where we joined the Anglesey Branch.  The mainline used to have 30 locks down to join the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal.  There is a restoration group aiming to make it possible again, but I’m not convinced it’ll be done in time for us.

Last time we were able to moor right at the end of the canal by the feeder, but there’s now a barrier across so we turned in the wide pool and moored a little way back down the canal.  This was the most northerly point of the BCN, and of our trip this time.

We walked up to the Chasewater reservoir where people were learning paddle board and water ski, and continued round to the railway, where they were having a steam day.  There were little traction engines and a steam model railway.

We waited for the proper steam train to come back from its trip, and then watched while it was uncoupled to be taken round to the front of the train.  Unfortunately we didn’t have enough time to go on the next trip.

We walked back to the boat and set off back down the arm.  There are great views across the valley towards Lichfield.

At Catshill Junction we turned left onto the Daw End Branch (pronounced Doe End).  Almost immediately I had to go down the weedhatch, to remove a thick plastic sack from the prop.  We’d hardly got going again when there was more clunking below; a burst of reverse produced more noise, and eventually lots of bits of plastic bucket.  All along the canal was a green blanket weed, but at least it disintegrates easily, not like the black stuff which clogs the prop.  Progress was pretty slow, and there’s not a huge amount to see, beyond the rooftops of houses and factories at Walsall Wood, and industry along most of the length.  We moored for the night at Longwood Junction.  This evening, we’re being taken to Andy and Helen’s house nearby for dinner.

13 miles, 0 locks.  (183 miles, 197 locks)