Heading downhill towards the Severn.

 We went up Gailey Lock yesterday morning, the last uphill one going this way.

From here there's a 10 mile level pound to Compton where the first downhill lock is encountered.

The Four Ashes waste incinerator takes 34,000 tonnes a year of household waste and generates around 23Mw of electricity for the national grid. It also grows some green stuff on the roof...

A little further on the Hatherton Canal branched off to the west. It linked with the Wyrley and Essington at Fishley Junction, then the Lichfield Canal at Ogley Junction and on to join the Coventry Canal at Huddlesford Junction. Sadly most of this east-west link has been lost to mining subsidence.

  Geese and goslings at Hatherton Marina.   

We called it a day just outside of Coven, it had got steadily more gloomy, and rain was imminent.

This morning was brighter but breezy after overnight rain. We decided to up sticks soon after 9, not sure where we were going to finish up.

The Anchor, Coven, a popular boaters stop.

About an hour on the canal builders encountered a ridge of hard rock running east-west, right across the route. Too hard to construct a full-width channel through, they settled for a one-way narrow passage with passing places. We had to pause for a few minutes to allow a boat to emerge, but then we could go through ourselves.

Pendeford Rocking

After successfully negotiating the narrows there's fifteen minutes of wide, deep canal, almost in apology for the narrow, shallow section that precedes it, then the Shropshire Union Canal joins from the right at Autherley Junction.

 

It's been several years since we've been south of that signpost!

Twin railway bridges near Oxley Marine.

I wonder how many blue bricks were used here?

The next junction is at Aldersley and brings the Birmingham Canal Navigations down the 21 Wolverhampton Locks

Wolverhampton Bottom Lock

  Although the canal runs through the suburbs of Wolverhampton it's in a green tunnel with only glimpses of the conurbation either side.

Another railway bridge, this one with lots of rivets instead of bricks. 

At Compton the cutting opens up at Compton Lock, with good moorings above and below. 

We dropped down the lock and moored up somewhat precariously just before Compton Bridge. I'd hoped to moor a bit better, but a hire boat just beat me to it. Anyway, we had lunch and the hirers still hadn't moved on so we did instead. 

Just one lock, though, Wightwick Mill, and we found a fine sunny spot just below.

Splendid little brick tail bridges at these locks...

...and unusual circular by-wash weirs.

 I'd forgotten just how attractive this canal can be.

Locks 3, miles 11