Coven to Bridge 76 (Staffs & Worcs Canal)

Thursday 18^th and Friday 19^th June

Thursday we stayed put and just as well as it rained for most of the day. For tea, we had fish & chips from the local chippie and really good they were too.

Passing the Anchor pub

Low Bridges on this canal

Today (Friday) it was raining when we got up and rained on and off all morning.  We had lunch and it brightened up so we decided to chug off.

Ex-working boat coming towards us

Bendy Canal

We untied and set off along the canal going past the Anchor pub which was all deserted.  The canal has been very quiet until we set off and had to wait for a boat to pass and then just around the corner we met another two.

Passing the Hatherton Branch

We carried on and met a few other boats including a large ex-working boat coming towards us right in the middle of the canal but he had to get over to let us pass, they like to hog the centre of the canal as they are ‘deep drafted' but we keep just to the right of the centre line so they have to get over as in the past we have gone right over to the side and got stuck, lesson learned!

Under another bridge

Some blue sky at last

This section of the canal is very winky wonky so quite slow going.  We chugged and went past the old Hatherton branch.  This branch used to connect with the Birmingham canal navigations.  It is closed above the derelict second lock, although the channel remains as a feeder for the Staffs & Worcs canal.  There is a marina here.

Daiseys by the side of the canal

Gemma Panda enjoying the trip

We went on past there and round a 180° bend often referred to as a swan's neck. We went on a bit further and moored up in a nice open spot shortly before Bridge 76.

We got moored up and it started raining so that was lucky as we managed to get here in the dry. We will stay here tonight and then move on to Gailey in the morning and hopefully the sun will be shining.

Moored near Bridge 76