Rushall Canal below Lock 2 to Anglesey Basin (Anglesey Branch of Wyrley & Essington Canal)

We are on the move again today but only 7 or so miles to Anglesey Basin on the Anglesey Branch of the Wyrley and Essington Canal.  It was very hot and humid as we set off.

Approaching last two Rushall locks

In Rushall Top Lock

We had the top two Rushall locks to do, the first one was set so we were soon through there but the top lock was full so I had to empty it first but they are not very deep so we were soon coming out the top lock and stopped at the top for the services.  At the top of this lock is also the Longwood Boat club.

We filled up with water and got rid of rubbish then went on our way past two canalside pubs, The Manor Arms and The Boathouse, both looked okay and you could moor outside if you wanted to.   We were then on the Daw End Branch.  This stretch is very winky wonky but really nice, you felt like you were in the middle of the countryside yet Walsall was not far away.

Turning onto Catshill Junction

Catshill Junction

After a while, we were at Catshill Junction where we turned right onto the Anglesey Branch of the Wyrley and Essington Canal.  There is a bridge not far from the start of this canal and just before we got to the bridge we went right up on the silt, boy were we at an angle, I don’t like that when it happens, it scares me and I aways panic, but calm Kev as usual just told me not to panic and we then slipped off the silt and were straight again and on we went quite slowly as this branch is quite shallow in places.

The old Lichfield Canal

We nearly got stuck under another bridge further along the canal, but manged to get going and on along we went, past the entrance to the old Lichfield canal where there were some red bollards in the water and Kev thought we had to turn there but luckily in time we saw where we had to go and chugged on to the right canal!  Soon we were going under the M6 Toll and was approaching Anglesey Basin.  We went right to the end to turn and at the end there is space for two boats.  There was one already there so we reversed into the space on the other side but could only get part way in and stuck, it was too shallow.

Anglesey Bridge

There was a lady on the other boat so we asked here if we could breast up to them, but she was very hesitant and eventually said if you really must!  Kev then decided that if we drove in, we may get most of the boat in and moor that way, so we turned around again and came in front first and that was okay.  We got the front tied up and the centre rope on.

Anglesey Basin where we are moored used to be a coal interchange until 1967.  Also here is Chasewater Reservoir which was built as a canal feed reservoir which supplies the Wyrley and Essington canal and hence most of the BCN.  Shortly after the reservoir was built in 1799, the dam collapsed, pouring a torrent of water across Watling Street and into the River Tame at Tamworth.  Meadows were left strewn with gravel, and some livestock was drowned, but luckily little other damage was caused.  The dam was rebuilt, faced with stone and has remained stocially intact ever since.  

Chasewater Country park is here, it is a 700-acre park where there is rich bird life, fishing and nature trails to enjoy. 

We had lunch then went out for a walk to the visitor centre then had a walk around part of the reservoir.  There is a steam railway here called Chasewater Railway which goes for nearly four miles around the park but unfortunately it is only open at weekends.

We sat for a while by the reservoir then walked back to the boat.  We are staying here tonight and going to have a proper walk around the park tomorrow.

Moored at Anglesey Basin