Tuesday 17 July 2007

Stourbridge

Immediately after setting off we descended a two-lock Botterham staircase before continuing down the Staffs and Worcs. We filled our water tank above Greensforge Lock and then entered an especially pretty stretch down to Stourton Junction.



At this point we turned right onto the Stourbridge Canal with an immediatre four lock flight to take us up to the Stourbridge level. Whilst the day had begun fresh and sunny, the rain returned within the hour - just after we had finished the Stourton flight there were rumbles of thunder, very black clouds and, inevitably, heavy rain. As a result we opted to moor up for lunch!



The afternoon was largely dry and, when the sun eventually came out, rather warm. At Wordsley Junction we took the arm into the town of Stourbridge where we had earlier been told that we could find a pump out service. Both the main Stourbridge line and the town arm are pleasant with remarkably clear water. The last part of the arm had a large number of water lilies.



We did indeed find the pump out at The Bonded Warehouse, a former canal building now restored as the headquarters of the Stourbridge Navigation Trust. When we inquired about moorings they offered us a secure location overnight. As the next part of the main Stourbridge Canal, once we have returned down the arm, immediately encounters the Stourbridge 16 flight of locks, we decided to take up the offer. The stretch above the flight may not be easy to find a mooring!

The town centre has plenty of shops, although we arrived not long before closing time. However, we did find a wifi hotspot, uploaded a few more pictures and updated our normal mailboxes - largely full of spam and junk!