Sunday 30 January 2011

A short haul to Bratch and a walk to Wombourne

A late morning set-off yesterday down the 3 locks to Bratch
 Awbridge Lock must surely be the loveliest lock of the canals ...
 ... it's so unusual with its original walkway ...
... George traversing it to close the other gate ...
 ... those steps for easy access to and from the boat ...
 ... and so to our moorings above the lock - this is the distant view from the galley window.
 This afternoon George and I with Molly set out to stretch our legs - Bratch Top Lock and the well preserved lock cottage - obviously no longer in BW's ownership.
 Bratch village from the top lock
 Looking down the next two locks which almost appear to be a staircase
 just in case you're confused 'R' is on the left .... and 'L' is on the ..... right .. Right? 
 very well maintained throughout.
 a roller would probably have fitted between the two eyelets that you can see here for the horse's rope to flow across over the turnover bridge ...
 ... the deep scoring in the brickwork from those ropes ...
 ... and also in the iron-work protecting the wall ...
 ... the steps are original but the railings are in keeping ... you may just be able to discern the rope markings in the upright in the middle of the steps.
 The hexagonal toll house.
 Clear instructions given for using the locks.
 How may hundreds of feet made these dips in the steps and how long ago ... what stories they could tell .... I wish I could hear them.
 looking down those steps to the boaters access
 and yet more rope marks above the steps.
 the bottom pound and weir (where the overflow of water from the locks gathers as the locks are emptied)
 the boaters access
 first moving boat we've seen in ages!
 We decided to walk into Wombourne - this is the Water Board building with its very interesting architecture
 you can see the machinery inside the upper windows - and those tiles - beautiful!
 Is this a mast conspiring to be a tree, or a tree conspiring to be a mast?
 Onto the long disused railway walk, the station is now a cafe.
 The railway line ran under these big arches ...
 .... which now carry the traffic...
 ... and were cut deep into the sandstone.
 We now turn left onto Wom Brook Walk ...
  ...with its fantastic carved signpost ...
... and another carving round the corner.
 ... the sun on the catkins is a sight to behold.
 I've not been to Wombourne before, it really is a nice place centred as it is around the cricket field ..
 Maypole street has a maypole of course! ...
 ... and a very smart well kept church and grounds ... the white building in front of the church is the ...
 Wombourne Institute - I like its moto -' Let's go hand in hand together, not one before another'
 Even the stregtheners in the church tower are decorative.
 Walkers' Way, so let's walk ...
 ... very pretty!
 doesn't look much like it now though.
 a lovely row of old houses.
and back to Rock n Roll and a very dramatic sunset - another great day.

Friday 28 January 2011

Right at Autherley ... onto uncharted waters .... for us anyway!

Yesterday just after 10 we leave the Cherry Tree moorings on the Shroppie and head south ...
... Seyella will follow us shortly, we're heading for Autherley Junction.
 a Kestrel has spied his prey
 and starts his descent.
 There are always lots of Mallards and Canada Geese at Pendeford Bridge.
 We've just taken that right-hand turn onto the Staffs and Worcester - we've never been this way before!
 a talented artist ...
... has been busy ...
  ... at the majestic railway bridge
 We could have gone left to Birmingham ...
... at Aldersley Junction, but not today.
 We continue through Compton Lock and Bridge ...
 ... where a few minutes later Seyella catches us up - that's Mags in the hat peering over the roof!...
We stopped here for a short time to do a bit of local shopping in Compton.
 ... and then continued our journey through another of these very pretty lock bridges, this one at Wightwick (Wittick) Mill ..
 ... Wightwick Manor seen through the trees.
It wasn't long before we reached some very good 5-day visitor moorings on the off-side above Dimmingsdale Lock - quite a long bitterly cold day and we're all glad to be going inside for a warm before taking the dogs for quick walk down the towpath.
A lovely day today, lots of sunshine but a biting wind as Geoff, Meg, George, me and Molly went for a walk.  This is Dimmingsdale lock ...
 ... with its turn-over bridge ...
... and heart-shaped overflow.
  Continuing down we come to Ebstree Lock ...
 ... where we see the first of many faces - someone has been very industrious!
 Geoff remembered talking to the chap who runs this coal business but there was no sign of life here today.
 The next lock down is Awbridge, this time with a circular overflow - lovely countryside here...
 ... a lovely view through the bridge hole; the arch is over steps giving access to the passing boat ...
... it has beautiful fretwork on the bridge sides ... 
 ... the gap in the centre of the very decorative wrought-iron bridge would have enabled the line from the horse to the boat to pass through without being detached - altogether a very distinguished piece of engineering.
 George with Molly putting the world to rights with Geoff; Meg is listening intently and understanding every word!
 We turn off the towpath, walk along the lane onto the disused railway line ...
 ... that way goes to Wombourne ..
 ... this sign confirms where we are ...
 ... and we decide that this sign means - watch out for cyclists!
 We're not going as far as Castlecroft though ...
 ... the path beckons us to continue ...
 Meg comes hurtling towards us!
 off the railway line, over the road and fields we eventually return to the canal at Mops Farm Bridge - you may just be able to make out another face on the BW sign on the left. 
 These are the 'steps' leading onto the towpath from the bridge.
 ... and yet another one!
 back now at Dimmingsdale Bridge, Meg has found an interesting scent and Molly trots to see what its all about!
 Seyella and Rock n Roll at their moorings
 ooh .. scary biscuit!
George and Geoff (and Molly) discuss which logs they'll cut this afternoon!
16:45 - pink clouds - sunset is getting a bit later each day.
It's going to be a cold night tonight - it's 17:35 now and -3 degrees already!!