Wordsley, Near Stourbridge to Kinver

Before we left we had a wander round the museum in the bottle kiln, admission is free so well worth a visit.

The Red House Cone is 90ft high and has a diameter of 60ft it was used by the Stuart Crystal firm until 1936 and is the best preserved of only four in the UK.

A glass manufacturer bought a one acre site in June 1788 and it is believed construction began straight away dating the cone to around 1760. A moving lehr (temperature controlled kiln) was installed which remains there today and is the only surviving one in the world.

Also on the site are various studios where independent artists create and sell their arts and crafts.

After an interesting tour we headed back to LJ for a sausage sandwich before setting off, and breaking news - just as the sausages had finished cooking our first gas bottle ran out. So that's around four months since it was installed - not bad going at all.

We set off down the remaining four locks of the Stourbridge flight and enjoyed some lovely Spring weather along to the four Stourton locks.

We were soon at the junction with the Staffordshire and Worcester Canal and did a left turn down towards Stourport and down Stewponey lock. 

Last of Stourton Locks, we're turning left onto the Staffordshire and Worcester Canal

I love these decorative run off weirs at the locks 

Horse Tunnel under the bridge

The Toll House at Stewponey Lock

We had to wait our turn at Hyde Lock as there was a boat just heading down it and as we left another came up so a few boats are on the move again. We called in a day just after Kinver lock enjoying the last of the lovely sunshine we've had most of the day, although there has been a chilly wind in places.

Moored up at Kinver just below Kinver Lock

4 miles and 11 locks


Total 56.5 miles and 76 locks