Bridge 8 (Shropshire Union Canal) to Coven (Staffs & Worcs Canal)

Saturday 13^th to Wednesday 17^th June

We spent the weekend at our favourite mooring spot at Bridge 8 and where we spent lockdown.  We just chilled out, went for a few walks and did a few jobs.

Off We Go

A Bit Misty This Morning

Yesterday (Tuesday), we had thunder rumbling away for most of the afternoon and eventually in the evening the storm came to us, the lightning was all around us and lots of thunder and heavy rain and it went on for a few hours.

Dogs barking at us as we go by!

Going under the M54

Today was dry when we got up and we are on the move today so that was good.

We set off from our mooring and headed along the canal, we have been in this area for a long time now and sad to be moving on, but it’s time to see pastures new.

Passing Fishermen

Passing Wolverhampton Boat Club

There were a lot of fisherman on this stretch so we chugged slowly by them, most of them were friendly and said hello.

Passing a Duck Family

Another Bridge Up Ahead

We chugged on and went under the M54 motorway.  When we walked down to here during the lockdown, the motorway was deserted and it was very peaceful, just the birds singing, today was quite different with the traffic wizzing along over our heads and quite noisy, back to reality, it was good while it lasted! We went past Wolverhampton boat club where there are a lot of moored boats. 

Gemma Panda Helping

In the Stop Lock

We went on a bit further then stopped at the water point near the junction.  We filled up with water then set off again.

Onto the Staffs & Worcs We Go

Going through the narrow bit

We were now at the end of the Shropshire Union canal, at Autherley Junction where this canal meets the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal.  There is a stop lock here with a fall of just 6 inches. It was insisted upon by the Staffs & Worcs canal company to prevent the Shropshire Union canal company stealing water from them.  There is a canal toll office by the lock.

Low Bridge Here

Gemma Panda and I got the lock ready and Kev brought the boat in. We were soon through the lock and heading out onto the Staffs & Worcs canal, woo hoo onto another canal at last!

An Archway made from the Trees

We turned left and on we went.  The canal is very quiet today and so far we have only met one boat.

We then came to a very narrow section of canal, cut out through the rock and known as Pendeford Rockin', named after a local farm, it is only wide enough for one boat but there are a few passing points.  As we approached the narrow bit a boat was coming through so once they were out, we carried on and was lucky as there were no more boats coming so we got through there okay.

Donkeys by the canal

Going under the M54 again!

We trundled on and went under the M54 motorway again and on a bit further then moored up in the moorings at Coven by The Anchor pub.

In the afternoon, we walked to the village where there is a Co-op, a fish & Chip shop, a Chemist and a Butchers. We are having fish and chips tomorrow so we went in and ordered them as they were open, saves ringing up. We got a few things in the Coop then called in at the butchers on our way back. 

We are staying here for a couple of days now then heading on to Gailey when we move.  It has been a sunny day so far but the clouds are gathering so looks like we might get rain again but hopefully not another storm!

Moored at Coven