To Crick: Day 8

The moorings at Autherley Junction were really quiet; as I mentioned last time we stayed there, some years ago you’d have avoided the area completely.  With a lot of locks to do today, we were up early, and set off at 7.45.  Within the first few yards, a dispute between ducks resulted in one of them landing on our plank, and then appearing quite surprised that it was moving.

It was 8am when we went into the bottom lock.

The first two locks were full and needed emptying, but then a whole load were empty ready for us.  Adrian worked the first ten before we swapped over.  There are lots of huge railway bridges, and there was a family of goslings.

It began to look as though I’d got the raw end of the deal, because from Lock 9 they started being full, and needing to be empty.  But then we met a boat at Lock 6, a young Belgian couple who’ve rented a boat for six weeks from near Oxford, and were planning to get back to the countryside up the Shroppie.  We also met a boat at Lock 3, immediately after yet another rail bridge.

We didn’t set any records today.  We were ready to leave the top lock three and a half hours after we started.

We paused on the moorings above the lock for a little while, then set off again to make a small detour.  Just before Horsley Fields Junction, where the Wyrley & Essingtom goes off, the areas both sides of the canal have been cleared.  It feels much more open.

We turned onto the W&E, under the junction bridge and through the narrows.

We had an appointment at the Urban Moorings.  They accept deposits from compost loos, and we had a bucket full to donate.  They have big purpose-built compost bins, which we could do with more of around the network.  Also, a gas bottle ran out last night, so we bought a new one.  The price was £45.50 which is pretty standard these days, and we liked that we could support them.  We moored up alongside the boats on the outside, with our bow next to a stern, so we could get across.

Unfortunately as Adrian took the new gas bottle, he hurt his arm.  We’re not sure what it is, but probably a ligament that’s pulled somehow.  When we had paid and untied, we reversed back to the junction, which was achieved without getting too stuck in the shallow edges, and then turned towards Birmingham.  There were lots of people out on the towpaths enjoying the sunshine, and we had our photo taken many times.  Everyone seemed very pleased to see a boat.  At Coseley Tunnel, I always wonder the the houses built on top have problems with insurance.

Just before Factory Junction is a huge new housing development.  I’m sure the site has been vacant for many of the years we’ve been coming this way.

We turned right at Factory Junction, onto the Old Main Line.  There was some sort of event on at the Malthouse Stables Activity Centre, and people came out to wave.  There were some old cars parked outside.

We moored up just round the corner on the John the Lock moorings about side the health centre.  This evening we’re going to Mad O’Rourke’s, because we enjoyed it so much last time we were here.

8 miles, 21 locks.  (47 miles, 51 locks)