Penkridge to Coven (Staffs & Worcs. Canal)

Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20^th August

Yesterday (Wednesday), we went to the market, the weather wasn’t too good and it was raining so the market wasn’t very busy and not so many stalls as usual.  We had a wander around and then went to the Butchers and Bakers and back to the boat as it was still raining and quite miserable.

Waiting at Filance Lock

Filance Lock

Otherton Lock

Foam in the Lock

Today (Thursday) we are moving on, we have 8 miles and 6 locks to do, a hard day for us, we must be going mad!  We were just going to go to Gailey just under 3 miles away but the forecast for tomorrow is not so good so we decided to go straight to Coven rather than have to travel in strong winds tomorrow.

Could do our dishes in here

It even stayed on the grass!

We set off from our mooring to the first lock, Filance lock which was just around the corner.  We were soon through there and onto the next one, Otherton lock.  There were quite a few boats coming the other way today so that made our life easy as they were either coming out of the lock when we got there or turned up when we were coming out the lock so we could leave the gates open for them. 

Lock by the M6

Lovely Sunny Morning

When we started filling the lock, lots of foam formed, there was more than when we do the dishes, not sure where it came from and when it blew out of the lock, it stayed on the grass, very strange.  Perhaps its a new form of boat wash, keeping our newly painted boat clean!

We then came to Rodbaston lock where the M6 runs alongside and in the fields opposite are two the wind turbines. A cyclist had stopped by the lock for a rest so he kindly helped me work the lock.

Brick Kiln Lock

Coming to Gailey

The next couple of locks, Boggs lock and brick kiln lock were a short distance away and quite close to each other so we didn’t take long to get through these two locks and were on our way once again.

Damaged Gate

It was a lovely sunny morning but quite windy. We were then approaching Gailey lock where there is a large round toll keeper’s watch tower which is now a house.

Gailey Lock

I got off the boat and went up to the lock.  There were a number of Canal and River Trust lock keepers at the lock, they were having training. A boat was just going out of the lock then one was coming in to go down and then it would be our turn.  I went and told Kev what was happening and went back up to the lock.

Coming to a Bridge

Old Hatherton Branch

The boat waiting to come down went in the lock, they shut the gates and he started to go down.

Passing the Chemical Works

A boat then came along the canal going way too fast with moored boats each side and a lock up ahead.  He started to come into the side and realised he was going too fast so smacked it into reverse but it didnt seem to slow down and he hit the side with some force, bounced off the side and careered into the lock gate, I thought he was going over the gate, it was horrendous.  The lock gate was damaged where he hit it so hard.

He said the wind!!! caught him and his clutch cable had come out, maybe it had, but if he had been coming along at a slow pace like he should past moored boats and coming to a lock, he should have been able to control the boat and not damage anything. 

Round the Bend We Go

The lock keepers took pictures of the damage and said we could come into the lock after they had got the boat out of the way as it was caught on the gates and took a bit of pulling to get it free.  They would then fill the lock very slowly to see if it was okay.  The lock filled up and we opened the gates and Kev came out.  The chap who hit the gate then said he had mended his cable and went down the lock, I don’t think they really cared about the damage they had caused.  We had a message later to say they had shut the lock to do temporary repairs!

Peaceful Canal

We stopped at the water point at the top of the lock to get water then went on our way glad to leave all the madness behind us.

Turbines in the Field

We chugged on along the canal, past the chemical works and past Hatherton marina and junction which marks the entrance of the former Hatherton Branch of the Staffordshire & Worcestershire canal into the main line. The branch used to connect with the Birmingham canal navigations.  It is closed now above the derelict second lock, although the channel remains as a feeder for the Staffs & Worcs canal.

Coming to The Anchor

This section of the canal is very winky wonky and seems to take for ever to get around.

Gemma Panda in Coven

We wound our way around and eventually we were approaching Coven where The Anchor pub is right alongside the canal.

We moored up just past the pub.  In the afternoon, we went for a walk into the village.

We are staying here for a couple of days now.  There is a really good fish and chip shop in the village, so tomorrow night guess what we are having for our tea, hope they are as good as they were last time we had them.

Moored at Coven