What I didn't tell you in my last post, when I waxed lyrical about our Greensforge mooring, was that we this mooring wasn't actually on the route I'd planned. I'd gone 'off piste' as I heard what a lovely spot it was, but no-one minded when I confessed, as it was wonderful and we did have plenty of time.
So, the next morning we found a winding hole (a place to turn for the uninitiated), and I turned the boat round and we set off back the way we'd travelled the previous afternoon.
We could have continued on to Wolverhampton taking in the great Wolverhampton 21 lock flight, but this was the busy route, and I had the urge to take the road less travelled. And so, a few miles back, we made a left turn, and joined the Stourbridge Canal.
This was a first for all of us and we were eager to sample its delights. And so, as we went through the first lock, just after the turn, everyone who wasn't working, was out in the bow enjoying the sunshine and seeing what the Stourport had to offer.
The water rushing in to fill the lock, created a great frothy head and made us think that it was probably time for a beer! Very quickly, not only were we supping beer, but we were passing through wonderful countryside, and it was all so quiet. We didn't see another moving boat during our time on the Stourbridge, and it was hard to believe we weren't far from the centre of Birmingham.
While we travelled towards Birmingham, we had a few adventures which included:
- fishing Maria's grill pan from the bottom of a particularly deep and muddy section of the canal (female minder who forgot the handle wasn't permanently attached when emptying crumbs overboard to blame)
- an excellent day out at the Black Country Living Museum - go there if you're ever near Dudley
- a descent of the mammoth Tardebigge flight of 30 locks in record time (under 3.5 hours)
- lots of rain which created dramatic waterfalls over the front lock gates - there really was water everywhere.
Our last night on board came all too soon. We had a bit of a party on board and it must have been good, as there were no end of locals who wanted to join us; one tapped quite insistently at the window until gave him a party bag.
At 9.30 a.m. the next morning it all over, and Maria was safely returned to the Black Prince yard at Hanbury Wharf. We were all sad as we waved good bye, but we all love canal boating so much that we know we'll be back.
Lots of love Eddie and the crew of Maria xxx
1 comment:
Rupie and Rajh say you never told them about throwing the grill pan overboard in previous conversations about your trip.
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