A climb at Kinver but well worthwhile.

A dull, cold start today. We seem to have got away without heavy snow last night, only about ½ an inch fell in our area. But, even though there was no frost, a breeze made it feel raw.

I’m glad we no longer have to rely on the roads, and in fact can please ourselves whether we move or not. It seems that as a country, we no longer know how to cope with a proper winter. Too many mild and wet ones have made us complacent. Every day this week the news has carried details of how much chaos and mayhem this snow has caused.

We weren’t in a hurry, so left it till 11:00 before getting on our way. Down past Stourton Junction and we arrived at Stewponey Lock.

A closer view of Devils Den, the boathouse cut into a sandstone cliff.

Stewponey Lock, with it’s Toll Office.

Dunsley Tunnel carries the tunnel through an outcrop of sandstone. Cut directly out of the stone and only partly brick lined, it’s only 25 yards long.

Dunsley Tunnel, South Portal
Near here the cutting through the sandstone is so unstable it’s shored up with brick pillars.

Another ½ mile saw us at Hyde Lock, in a beautiful setting above the river, and with a well maintained cottage alongside.

We were hoping to be able to moor between here and Kinver Lock, but this stretch is given over to permit holders only, so had to drop down the lock and moor on the visitor moorings just below. We just managed to get a signal on the dish, which is perhaps as well because aerial reception down here in the valley is non-existent. Friday night is wall to wall soaps night, and my name would have been mud if we had no TV….

Approaching Kinver Lock. Wilsons of Kinver supplied our chairs for the saloon, and made the cushions for the dinette.

Kinver Visitor Moorings.
Mid afternoon Meg and I set off for our walk. A mile or so of tarmac, steadily climbing, took us to the National Trust area around Kinver Edge. Meg was pleased to be off her lead, and promptly stole a ball from a passing spaniel. Having returned the booty, we continued on up to the Edge. This is a ridge of rock looming above the village, rising to over 500 feet. The views from the top are splendid, especially as the sun was co-operated by making an appearance.

Views from Kinver Edge

Meg enjoys playing in the snow.

We got back down to the boat around 5 o’clock, both of us ready for tea. We’ll have a walk around the village tomorrow, there looks to be some interesting buildings.











Locks 3, miles 3¼