Halesowen

 

Firstly a reply to a comment made on yesterdays Blog, the red things that look like locks are actually travel direction logged every 10 minutes and they are put on by Memory Maps the program that I run Waterways Routes in.

The last 4 times we have moored in Tipton the most boats we have seen moored on John the Lock moorings has been 2, including us. This morning when we left Tipton there were 5 moored there, but the towpath side where we were was empty.

We stopped just beyond the first bridge to fill with water and then it was off down the old main line. This industrial unit is definitely maximising there solar electricity generation.

I think this should be a requirement on all new builds. When we use to come this way in the past this door just sat forlorn in a blank wall a long way from the ground, today there are stairs and a smart social area.

When we reached Brades Hall Junction we turned left down the Gower Arm via the Brades Hall Locks. This building is constructed against the bridge approach with no windows and a very heavy door, I have no idea what it was built for, if you know I would love to know.

At the end of the Gower Arm we turned sharp left again up the New Mainline as far as the Dudley Port junction and back under the Old Mainline into Netherton Tunnel where we met the only boat of the day.

Once clear of the tunnel it was left yet again at The Bumble Hole down the BCN Dudley No2 canal for yet another tunnel, this is an awful lot narrower and lower the last one we passed through.

Gosty Hill tunnel is only 557 yards long but I know of one boat that stuck in there for 24 hours.

Our target was Hawne Basin to fill with diesel, pump out the toilet tank and meet some old friends  we managed all three before leaving the basin and mooring out on the canal, due to the Covid restrictions Coomewood Canal Trust are not allowing visiting boats to stay overnight.

 

Today's Journey 

10.5 miles, 3 locks in 5 hours.

  Map courtesy of Waterway Routes https://www.waterwayroutes.co.uk/

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE All of the above is my personal opinion and does not represent  those of any official body or notices. All comments made to this blog are checked for spam before being accepted any made anonymously are accepted but if you leave a name I could say thanks.