New Waters

Having reunited at the boat on Monday afternoon, we immediately set off south (not before Alison took a dip in the canal and got a wet leg and bruised bum), through the locks at Wheaton Aston and mooring up in the evening at Brewood.
Coming into moor at Brewood. 

I love this stage of the fire, when the coals have turned into dragons' eggs.
 Heavy rain returned overnight but the morning dawned clear and warm and we set off early. By mid morning we were at the stop lock at 'Cut End' where the Shroppie joins the Staffs and Worcester canal. We turned right.
After  a short cruise we then went left immediately beyond this splendid bridge
onto the BCN (Birmingham Canal Navigations) Main Line, and straight into the Wolverhampton flight of 21 locks. And all bar 2 set against us. Two thirds of the way up we had to stop in one of the locks while a massive thunderstorm went overhead. We hid inside and had lunch while it crashed and hailed outside. Once it had done its thing we continued into the centre of Wolverhampton.  One direction looked rather lovely:
turn 180 degrees and you meet:

Eating out tonight. We've been cruising for seven hours, we have earned it!

Sadly, Table Table is not what it was. Adequate, mediocre. Beer barely passable. Service friendly but slow. Alison to bed immediately afterwards as her poor backside quite sore. 2 paracetamol and slept the clock round.

On our way by 9am on a mostly dry, grey morning.  The canal wound its secret way around the backs of factories, screened by greenery. You'd never know you were in a city.
Here approaching Netherton Tunnel, takes around 45 minutes to get through.

Except for the litter. Most of that mess is plastic bottles.
This at the Junction of Birmingham Main Line, Dudley Canal no. 2.  Which we overshot, being distracted by the need to dislodge a large heap of rubbish gathered on our nose, while avoiding an oncoming boat.. we reversed back 100 yards or so, no great problem.

Stealth signpost, which we missed.

So, the Gosty Tunnel next. Will get photos next time. Unlike Netherton, low and narrow. Top of our chimney knocked off low. Managed to retrieve it but cor blimey!

And into our home for the next day or two. Hawne Basin, Coombeswood Canal Trust.
Lovely warm welcome.

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