Another 4 weeks passed before we were able to get going again, and even then we encountered some fairly thick patches of ice.
We making the same trip again this year, only in temperatures considerably higher.
I had a bit of shopping to do this morning, but we were still on the move by 10:00. The first lock today was just 20 minutes away. With another boat arriving at the top we were able to leave the top gates open, and we had the same sort of luck at most of them today.
Another 20 minutes saw us at Hunts Lock, arguably the first of the Fradley locks.
Hunts Lock.
BW have the gear ready for Monday’s closure.
Keepers Lock is next, just under the bridge arch in the distance. These 2 are due to close on Monday for a week, which is why we needed to be through this weekend.
After Keepers we pulled in on the services to empty a loo and drop off a bag of rubbish. We’d filled up with water at Alrewas on Thursday, so didn’t have to use the very slow tap here. We can top up again near Armitage tomorrow.
Coming up Fradley Locks, approaching Junction Lock.
Mags had to be a bit careful to squeeze through alongside the boatyard above the junction. It always busy here. At least there was no-one coming the other way…
Narrowboat Slalom.
Two more locks, Middle and Shadehouse, and we were clear of Fradley. Woodend Lock is about 15 minutes on.
The pretty Woodend Lock
Just behind me, as I took the picture, is where the proposed HS2 rail link will cross the canal.
This was our last lock today. We motored gently through a very autumnal Ravenshaw Wood, and past Kings Bromley Wharf and Kings Bromley Marina.
Through Ravenshaw Wood.
There are more leaves on the water than on the trees!
Kings Bromley Wharf
The chimney indicates some sort of industrial use in the past, a trawl of the web found an old OS map with the site marked as “Creamery”.
The wharf was built to service Edward’s Creamery, with coal coming in, presumably with raw milk from canalside farms, and pasteurised or processed milk products being shipped out. More info here. Incidently, this is the blog of FMC NB Minnow, moored in Fradley as we came through this morning. Have a look at the photo above.
We pulled in a little further on, just before Bridge 55.
Moored near bridge 55
It’s been a dry day, but breezy. Forecasted to stay much the same over the next few days.
George and Carol, Chas and Ann, we’re planning on being at Penkridge on Tuesday afternoon so we can visit the Wednesday market, then we’ll be moving on to Gailey on Wednesday afternoon or Thursday morning. See you then.
Lock 7, miles 4
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