Queen's Head Pub to Top of Astwood Flight (Worcester & Birmingham Canal)

Saturday 10th October

Kev and Smugs in Stoke Top Lock

Smugs waiting patiently by the lock

The sun was shining as we set off this morning leaving the Queen’s Head pub behind us and soon we were at the top of the Stoke flight  There are six locks in this flight but they aren’t very deep and they have steps by the bottom gate so we can put our routine that we used on the Tardebigge flight into action here.  The first lock doesn’t have steps as there is a bridge so I did the lock and Kev and Smuggler stayed on the boat.  The next locks are quite close together so Smuggs came out at the next lock and walked down the flight with me.

Unfortunately all the locks were against us again so while we were waiting for the lock we were in to empty Kev trotted down to the next one to fill it, that helps a lot.  Soon we were at the last lock at Stoke Wharf where there is an elsan point and rubbish so we stopped to use that then went down the lock.

Lock by Stoke Wharf

A boat had just come up so the lock was set for us.  We went through the lock and chugged on along the canal to the water point and filled up with water.  Then went a short way along the canal to the top of the Astwood Flight and moored just before the bridge and the top lock.

That's it no more work today!!

We went for a walk down the flight in the afternoon, these locks are close together so when we do these Monday morning Smuggs will be having a walk with me.

We are staying here until Monday, it’s a nice quiet open spot, then we will be headed down the locks to Hanbury Wharf.

Moored at the Top of The Astwood Flight