The Wolverhampton 21

We left Autherley Junction yesterday morning a little later than planned, the temperature had dropped last night and on my morning walk with Dudley the towpath was like a skating rink so we thought it best to let it thaw a bit before tackling the locks. We had left the back canopy down last night, as we knew it was just a quick stop, and this morning James' bench had a layer of ice on it.

It was a short way to Aldersley Junction where the main line goes off and straight into the bottom lock of the Wolverhampton 21. Most of the locks were full, so had to be emptied before getting LJ in and refiling, so it was quite slow progress but I was also being carefully as it was still quite slippy around the locks - we didn't want a repeat of November 2013 - Click here.

The first lock of the day

Missing paddle so this one too ages to fill

The pound was a little low at this one

We came across a photo shoot

And finally at the top

We stopped off at the CRT yard for water

Once through the locks we continued onwards and turned left at Horseley Fields Junction onto the Wyrley ans Essington Canal. We continued on for about a mile and stopped in the little arm at Bentley Bridge next door to Cineworld alongside the retail park. 

I managed to get us on the mirror bridge - but I've got the camera right in front of my face

The view from the lounge window

And view from the front

Seems odd seeing a boat in the car park 

4.5 miles and 21 locks

Total 697 miles 647 locks

Bentley Bridge to Wolverhampton

Now where were we? Ah yes Bentley Bridge ..  

LJ hiding in the arm

There she is - outside the pub again!

After getting another shopping fix we left the next day, just a short trip back along the Wyrley and Essington turning right at the junction back onto the Main Line and the top of the Wolverhampton 21. We stopped outside the Broad Street Services and walked down the flight to Fox's Lane Bridge where we turned left and followed the road to Wickes. After our purchase we then had to make our way back up the locks to LJ with two boards of hardwood ply so James can make a work bench.

Once back at LJ we pushed across the canal to the section where there is no access to or from the towpath, other than by boat or climbing down a high wall. It was ideal for us as we did't have to worry about Dudley running off as he can't get anywhere. James got on working with some of the historic wood as well as shaping the new work bench. I got on with painting the back deck and finally the gas lockers, which are matching blue now. As the weather was perfect for outside jobs we actually stayed the following day as well and got loads done.

There's LJ in the distance on the left, the services are just under the bridge and the secure moorings are on the right

It's not the most picturesque mooring and there is a lot of traffic noise but as we had the generator running too so it didn't matter and it served a purpose. In the evening we pushed across back to the other side where we went up into town and enjoyed dinner in Johnny Spice, an all you can eat Indian buffet.

The next day, before we set off, we needed to go to the Post Office to send a pen off to it's new owner, the town has some lovely buildings definitely worth a proper visit. As we were getting back to LJ we spotted Mr Jingles and Lyra just mooring up behind us, Dan and Keri were having a lunch break before tackling the 21 - or 42 in their case.

1.5 miles

TOTAL 616.5 miles and 467 locks

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

Tipton to Bentley Bridge

Last Tuesday we left Tipton and after a brief stop to drop off Anne's pens we continued on through Coseley Tunnel and followed the Main Line on the Wolverhampton Level to Horseley Fields Junction.

Looking back at the sign post 

We had decided to stop off at Bentley Bridge as a few people have mentioned it being a good stopping place before (or after) doing the Wolverhampton 21. So at the junction we turned right onto the Wyrley and Essington Canal and new waters for us. After about a mile we came to Wednesfield Junction and the site of the Bentley Canal, there is just a short section remaining it provides three moorings at the Bentley Bridge Retail Park. 

Nice sunny morning

Approaching Bentley Bridge moorings

So there we were next to the Fayre and Square and opposite the massive Cineworld as well as a view of KFC and McDonalds. 

We had a stroll round the shops, stocking up at Aldi for us and Just4Pets for Dudley, and a visit to Hobbycraft, Home Bargains and B&M.

It's so handy for the shops as we are moored up by the car park.

6 miles

TOTAL 582 miles and 467 locks