Voyages of Gabriel: Birmingham to Wheaton Aston

Mon 22^nd May Birmingham to Black Country Living Museum

We went to Boots soon after 8am, when they opened, and discovered that the pharmacy doesn’t open until 9am. So, we had another visit to Caffe Nero, where they have some tables in the sunshine.

We finally picked up Hazel’s prescription and were on our way. We cruised through the Ouzells Loop via Sherborne Wharf, and then down the Main Line. The first stop was on bollards by Winson Green Bridge, where we had planned to visit Lidl. As we arrived, two guys came down the steps from the road, and stood by the bows of the boat. It looked suspicious to us, so we both walked up the slope, and Hazel went to Lidl, while James kept an eye on what was happening. In the end, not a lot, but it was strange that they did not walk along the towpath, or go separate ways, but they just stood there for 30 minutes. Finally, they turned and walked back up the slope to the road. James then felt he could join Hazel for the shopping.

When we returned to the boat, and were just about to set off, a guy asked if we would mind him magnet fishing behind our boat. Of course, we said no, as we were moving off anyway. Later, we discovered that the roads were closed, because something dangerous had been pulled out of the canal!

At Smethwick Junction, we turned off, up three locks to the Old Main Line, or Wolverhampton Level. Thankfully, a boat was just leaving the bottom lock, so all three were in our favour. The New Main Line (or Birmingham Level) carried straight on, and we eventually crossed it on the Stewart Aqueduct. This is a remarkable crossing of routes, with the New Main Line in a cutting being crossed by the Old Main Line, which is crossed by a railway and a road, with the M5 over the top of everything.

We followed the M5 for some of the route, cruising directly underneath the motorway, between two rows of pillars. We passed the turning to Titford Pools, and paused again by Whimsey Bridge for something to eat. We had bought fresh croissants at Lidl, so we had these with some smoked salmon and cream cheese.

After clearing the prop of bits of plastic, we set off once more, passing the staircase locks at Brades which lead down to the New Main Line, and crossing the canal that leads to Netherton Tunnel. We were soon at the Black Country Living Museum, and we turned and found a place to moor behind Dizzy Duck. Spirit and Kairos were on the other side, and for some reason, the swing bridge across was opened and padlocked, so we couldn’t get across to see everyone. They had had a good day going round the museum.

Moored on the Ouzells Street Loop

The hatches in the bridge parapet were to allow fire hoses to use the canals in WWII

Sherborne Wharf

Rotton Park Junction, where we crossed from left to right yesterday

Steep path up to Winson Green Road

Two guys by the boat

The news item about the dangerous object found where we had been moored

This island used to have a toll booth

Smethwick Junction

Smethwick Locks

Smethwick Locks and toll house

The Engine Arm Aqueduct

Galton Valley Pumping Station used to pump water from the New Main Line below

Summit Tunnel

Looking back at Summit Tunnel and Bridge

Industrial history

Abundant blossom

First sight of the M5

Into the underworld

Under the M5

Stewart Aqueduct

Oldbury Junction, leading to Titford Pools

Handy bollards for our lunch break at Whimsey Bridge

Rubbish from the prop

Bradeshall Junction and Brades staircase locks

Netherton Tunnel from the aqueduct

Two families of Canada Geese

Tipton Junction

Moored by the Black Country Living Museum

0 locks, 9 miles, 1 tunnel. Dep 0930, arr 0955 Lidl. Dep 1110, arr 1255 Whimsey Bridge. Dep 1345, arr 1455 BCLM.

Tue 23^rd May BCLM to Autherley Junction

Kairos and Spirit came across to use the facilities, and we were able to hand over the various things we had for each other. We were the first to leave, followed by Simon on Dizzy Duck.

There weren’t many boats moving around. We passed the old Malthouse Stables, where we spent a night moored up in 2000, during the BCN challenge. The Old Main Line meets up once more with the New Main Line at Factory Junction. We passed through Coseley Tunnel, thankfully fairly short. We also passed Chillington Wharf, where boats and trains were able to transfer goods from one transport system to another. It is becoming more and more derelict, but there are still some rolling cranes or hoists there.

At one point we saw a dabchick, and as James went into reverse to get a photo, we picked up some plastic on the prop. We shook most of it off with some forward and reverse thrusts, but when we arrived at Wolverhampton top lock, we removed a selection via the weed hatch.

Simon followed, pushing a side from a gazebo with his bows.

We didn’t hang around very long, and, as we were preparing to leave again, we saw what we thought were three CRT volunteers by the top lock. That would have been good, but sadly, we now think it was three CRT employees taking a work boat down the locks. Every lock was against us, and every vandal lock was locked. James had to fill every lock, and as Simon was on his own behind us, we also filled the lock again as we left. It was hard work, and we saw no other boats. We did have a conversation with two guys at one of the locks, and we gave out a “How Do Locks Work?” leaflet.

At the bottom of the 21 locks, we turned right, and found a good length of mooring rings just before Autherley Junction. We were now, briefly, on the Staffs and Worcs Canal.

The four guys went shopping in Morrisons, and Hazel cooked enchiladas for everyone on board Gabriel. Chris and Sally brought apple pies and cream for dessert, and Simon and Jo very kindly did all the washing up at the end.

Hazel’s legs were very swollen from all the standing.

We seemed to be moored on a cycle racetrack, with bikes riding very fast, many of them electric.

Wildlife: Apart from the dabchick, we noticed a lot of coot families today. We were also surprised to see broom growing wild, and lupins.

Handcuff keys are needed for the Wolverhampton Locks.

Shuffling boats to get to the facilities

Tipton Junction

Malthouse Stables

Factory Junction where the new main lines meet again

Amazing blossom this year

Coseley Tunnel

Coot

Dizzy Duck emerging from Coseley Tunnel

Dabchick

Broom

Entrance to Chillington Wharf

Chillington Wharf hoist

Horsley Fields Junction

The Mill at Wolverhampton, now apartments

Under a car park

Jesus saves sinners - even graffiti artists

More rubbish from the prop

Simon with his gazebo wall

Wolverhampton Top Lock

Wild lupins

Leaving industry behind

Yarn bombing on the spindle has got a bit greasy

Lock 20 paddle gear

The final lock

Aldersley Junction

Turnover bridge on the Staffs and Worcs

Lesser Black-backed Gull

21 Locks, 8 miles. Dep 0830, arr Wolverhampton 1040. Dep 1105, arr Autherley 1500.

Wed 24^th May Autherley Jct to Wheaton Aston

We were ready to leave before the others, and as we left, another boat appeared coming towards us. We reached the junction first and turned into the entrance, where a boat was taking a long time to use the lock to come out. By the time we were ready to go in, there were three boats waiting after us.

The lock is very shallow and only takes a short time.

We didn’t stop for facilities, although we were pleased to see a recycling bin there. There also appears to be a pumpout, although we have been told there is no Elsan, which seems odd. Perhaps they don’t like visitors using it.

So, we were now on the Shroppie, a very straight canal, with embankments and cuttings alternating. We kept up our pace, as we didn’t want to get stuck behind a slow mover. It was a glorious sunny day and we saw kingfishers and lots of mallard families. We crossed under the M54 and over the A5.

There seemed to be some mooring spaces in Brewood, but we moved on through a deep cutting to Wheaton Aston, where there were few mooring spots available. We went through the lock, filled with water, and disposed of rubbish, and then managed to find a place, but there wasn’t room for three more boats.

We discovered that the fuel price was excellent, at 83.9p per litre, but the place closes at 3.30pm, so we let the others know. They moored in Brewood in the end.

The boater behind was an electrician, but he was too busy to look at our tunnel light problem, as he had a boat safety exam the next day.

We went just across the canal to the Hartley Arms for a pleasant meal to celebrate our anniversary – 48 years!