A few years ago we would never have stopped overnight at Autherley Junction, but now it’s a popular spot. The moorings were full, with no git gaps to be seen. And we had a very quiet night. Possibly because we knew we had lots of locks to do today, we were awake early and decided to get up and get going. So we were ready to pull away from our mooring at 7.15. As we left, the sun was rising and there was mist swirling above the water.
It’s an only about 10 minutes down to Aldersley Junction. The bottom lock was empty, and it was 7.30 when we started our ascent.
We worked our way steadily up the flight, with every lock in our favour — the advantage of being first up. With the sun shining, the flight also looked pretty good.
Three volunteer litter pickers opened one set of bottom gates for us, and at Lock 3 a couple of CRT guys put down their strummers and helped. I did to them that the locks seemed in much better condition that the last couple of times we’ve been up them, which they were very pleased about. One of them also discovered grease on the pawl handle — and decreed that whoever had put it there should be up for gross misconduct!
When we did the flight in 2019 we completed all 21 locks in 2 hours 40 mins, and in 2017 it was 2 hours 50. Today we were on course for 2:50 again, except that when we got to the top lock there was a boat about to come down. When I arrived, the ladies on board were debating whose lock it was, and whether they should fill it for themselves or empty it for us. As it was about three-quarters full, it was decided it should be filled. When we came to open the top gate, it dot stuck after a few inches, I I discovered it was because a coconut was jamming it. Once that was removed, the process could continue. All of this meant we took 3 hours for the locks today. At least the cottages at the top are back to looking good, they had scaffolding all over them last time.
Another boat arrived as we left the top lock, so we left it for them. They will soon have realised there was a boat going down in front. We pulled in to Broad Street Basin to fill the water tank and get the washing machine going. Another boat passed, heading for the locks as we prepared to reverse out, and we passed a couple more along the way. Not far from Wolverhampton Tunnel is a development of flats we don’t remember being there before.
After a while, the threatening clouds brought some rain. At first, there was also blue sky further ahead.
But then the rain really set in. There was thunder, rain coming down in stair rods, and even hail stones. Once again, I was absolutely soaked, as were people on the towpath who’d been caught out. By the time we got to Coseley Tunnel, it had almost stopped.
We turned right at Factory Junction where some people were messing about in boats, made of two canoes tied together. One guy even jumped from one boat to another, and we were amazed he didn’t fall in. We moored up at the John the Lock moorings in Tipton, I had a change of clothes, and we had lunch.
This afternoon the sun has come out. We had a surprisingly productive walk to the Tipton Shopping Centre, where Poundland and the Nisa Local turned out to have quite a few of the things we were after. Then I had a go at re-hanging our bow button. It’s been lopsided for ages, but over the past couple of days has become ridiculously so. I eventually managed to get the shackle off so I could shorten the chain by one link on one side. Hopefully the button will reshape itself to the boat over time.
This evening, we plan to try out the famous Mad O’Rourke’s Pie Factory.
8 miles, 21 locks. (301 miles, 203 locks)
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