Anglesey Basin to Bentley Bridge

Just after lunch we said our goodbyes to Sandra and made our way back. James still has a couple of commission to complete and we have now also booked in for the Christmas Floating Market in Birmingham so I was on steering duties whilst James was getting on with some work.

Bye for now Sandra and the Boyz

We stopped for the night on the Brownhills visitor moorings with a very handy Tesco just across the road.

Definitely autumn at Brownhills

On Saturday we continued our journey back through Pelsall to Bentley Bridge, James was busy cutting, drilling and gluing pens and managed to get a lot ready for turning during our slow journey. The canal is very shallow so I was taking it slow to avoid stirring up all the rubbish from the bottom. We did have to stop once were James retrieve a huge hook on a rope from the prop along with the usual plastic bags.

We have not past one moving boat in the whole length of the Wryley and Essington and apart from the five permanent moorings just after Sneyd Junction there were only four other moored boats, one at Bentley Bridge on our first stop, one just before Sneyd Junction, one at Brownhills and Golden Boyz in Anglesey Basin, so it's very quiet in these parts.

16.5 miles

TOTAL 615 miles and 467 locks

Pelsall to Anglesey Basin

On Thursday we left Pelsall and headed through Brownhills having to stop again to clear rubbish off the prop, we usually take it in turns to do this, but as I have a nasty cut on my finger which I did a couple of days again chopping some kindling, James cleared it again, this time part of a rug. The water being so clear really does make a difference, at least you know what you are putting your hand into. At Catshill Junction we turned left on to the Anglesey Branch, straight ahead was the Daw End Branch.

That's the Daw End Branch

We reached Ogley Junction where we went left again, straight on here is now a dead end until the restoration of the canal down to Huddlesford Junction on the Coventry Canal is completed. (If it ever happens).

Turning left here, straight on is another dead end

After going under the M6 Toll we approached Anglesey Basin where there is space for two boats, Sandra on Golden Boyz was there so we reversed into the space beside her and needed the plank to get to the bank.

Golden Boyz and Lois Jane in Anglesey Basin

After a stroll round Chasewater Reservoir, which is a feeder for the canal, Sandra joined us on LJ for dinner. Friday morning the Golden Boyz (Cosmo and Daquiri) came to call for Dudley and we went along to the 'beach' with Sandra. 

The three enjoyed running around together and leaping into the water fetching sticks, Dudley even went swimming. When he managed to get the sticks before the Boyz he ran off to a grass area and started a little collection.

Chasewater Reservoir

Having a paddle

And then a swim

5 miles 

TOTAL 598.5 miles and 467 locks