Dimmingsdale Lock to Compton (Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal)

Wightwick Manor

Goose family on the pond

Having my lunch

We are off to visit Wightwick Manor today, a National Trust property which is near the canal, so we left our mooring and chugged off along the canal for about a mile or so and moored in the visitor moorings just before Bridge 56.

Griggs House

We walked up the road and soon came to Wightwick manor which is a Victorian Manor House lived in by the Mander family and in 1937 Geoffrey Mander MP gave the house to the National Trust.  He was a local paint manufacturer and Liberal MP and had been left the timber-framed house by his father Theodore.  Theodore and his wife Flora had decorated its interior with the designs of William Morris and his Arts and Crafts comtemporaries.

Inside the House

The house wasn’t open until 12 Noon so we had a stroll around the gardens which were really nice. 

This bed cost £4 in the 1930!

There was an orchard, a kitchen garden, a formal gardens, pond and a woodland walk.  There was also a bridge called the mathematical bridge and called this as it was based on a wooden footbridge in Cambridge and the angles were worked out mathematically to make a strong bridge.

Mathematical Bridge

Victorian Hair dryer and Tongs!

We then went to the café and had a coffee, then went back into the gardens and had our picnic lunch.  It was a lovely sunny day today so much better than yesterday so it was really pleasant sitting in the gardens.

We then went into the house which was quite big inside with lots of rooms. 

We had a good look around and the guides in the various rooms were really knowledgeable and it was interesting to hear about the various rooms.  There was some curling tongs and hairdryer.  Didn't fancy using the tongs as they were heated on the fire and often got too hot and you could singe your hair or even burn your scalp, lovely!

Coming into Wightwick Mill Lock

In Wightwick Lock

We then went back outside and had an ice-cream and another drink then made our way back to the boat.  It is a really interesting property and well worth a visit.

We then chugged on through two locks and moored at Compton.  The forecast is not good for tomorrow so we thought we would move on today as there is a few shops, etc. in Compton and then we wouldn’t get wet.

We will stay here tomorrow and hopefully chug on the next day if the weather is okay.

Moored at Compton

Wombourne to Dimmingsdale Lock (Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal)

Bridge to Nowhere

We were moving on this morning but when we got up, it was pouring with rain so we stayed put and it rained all morning.  We popped over to Sainsburys which is about a five minute walk away.  The rain started to ease off and it got brighter so we had lunch then decided to move on.

In Bumblehole lock

Coming into Bratch Bottom lock

It was dry as we set off but very blustery.  We have 7 locks to do this afternoon.  We got to the first  Bumblehole lock.  It has a bridge just before it which goes to nowhere.

In the middle lock

In Bratch Top Lock

We got through this lock and chugged on.  We soon came to the Bratch locks.  This set of three distinctive locks were built by James Brindley in 1772 as a staircase of three chambers.  However, it soon became apparent that due to excessive water loss and long delays in passing through, an alternative was needed.  The staircase was converted into three single locks which did help with water loss, but you sometimes still get delays there.

The locks themselves are rather narrow with very short pounds between them, so insufficient room for boats to pass each other.  There is a lock keeper on duty at most times to give help and advice.

Going into another lock

We moored at the bottom of the locks and went up to see the lock keeper.  One was just going out the top and then one was coming down then it would be our turn.

After a while the boat came out the bottom lock and Kev brought the boat in and me and a volunteer lock keeper and the resident lock keeper filled the locks and soon we were in the second lock and then into the top lock and out onto the canal.  The lock keeper is very friendly and helpful and they are nice locks to go through.

In Dimmingsdale Lock

As we were higher up now, the wind was even stronger.  We chugged on and, moored a short way from the locks, were our friends Pam and Terry on Rooster’s Rest, we haven't seen them for ages so we stopped for a chat.  It was great to see them again. They are on their way back to the Gloucester & Sharpness canal.

We chugged on and then came to Awbridge lock.  This lock was set against us so I had to empty it first but didn’t take too long and soon we were on our way again.

Swan family going by

We soon came to Ebstree lock.  There was a boat going up in front of us and one waiting to come down so we helped out.  Also there was a cache at the lock so we had a look and soon found it.

We then came to our last lock for today, Dimmingsdale lock.  We got through here okay and moored just past the lock on the non-towpath side in the visitor moorings.  It is a nice sunny quiet spot.

We chilled out for a bit then walked back to the lock as there was a cache there as well and we found that one too, we are doing well recently!

We are staying here tonight then chugging on a short distance tomorrow as we are off to visit Wightwick Manor, a National Trust property.

Moored at Dimmingsdale Lock

A Walk around Himley and Wombourne

We are staying put today as the weather forecast is not good and we don’t want to be chugging and doing locks in the rain!

Himley Plantation

Old Station Platform at Himley

We had breakfast then set off for a nice long walk.  It was a bit drizzly but not too bad.  We walked up onto the road and down there and then went off into Himley Plantation.  This wood dates from the 18^th Century and was once part of the Estate of the Earl of Dudley, it now belongs to the Woodland Trust.

We walked through there and met a lady with a lovely dog who wanted us to throw his ball for him, when she walked on he kept coming back to us, in the end she put him on a lead. He was a rescue dog and had been badly treated but was so trusting of everyone he meets, we thought if he comes back for a third time, we will keep him, but unfortunately for us we didn’t see him again!  His owner has lived in the area all her life and told us that years ago horse and carts came through the woods so that was why the paths were so wide and apparently there is a story that a headless horsemen rides through the woods.  We looked out for him but I think the rain kept him away today!

Railway Walk Sign

Sandiacre Farm Shop

We carried on and then got onto the South Staffordshire Railway walk and had a walk along there and walked past the old Himley Station.   We visited the nearby Sandiacre Farm Shop which had a great selection of fruit, vegetables and plants and also eggs and Jams and Chutneys.

We then got back on the Railway walk and carried on along there.  We did several caches on the way and found all of them which was good for us!

Church in Wombourne

Eventually we came out into Wombourne village and had a look around there and went for lunch in The Vine pub which was really nice. We walked past the Church, but didn't go in.  We did one more cache in the village then walked back along the road and came to Bratch locks.  We are going up there tomorrow.

There was a cache at the locks and we found that as well, so we got 7 out of 7, a world record for us!

We then walked back along the towpath to the boat.  It did rain on and off all the time we were out, but as we were in the woods a lot of the time, we didn’t get very wet.  It was a really good 5 mile circular walk.

When we got back, it did rain hard so we were lucky.  We are staying here again tonight then off in the morning.

Gothersley Round House to Wombourne (Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal)

Gothersley Lock

Rocky Lock

We are on the move today and it is not so sunny today, but dry when we set off so okay.  We went on along the canal and soon came to our first lock for today, Gothersley lock, we are doing 8 locks today.

Soon through there and on to the next lock, Rocky lock.  

One out, one in

Passing John's Garden

Passing the Hotel Boats

There were a few boats coming the other way and we also passed the hotel boats, Duke & Duchess.   We passed the Nurseries where we went yesterday and there is a lovely garden adjoining the Nurseries which is called John's Garden and is a private garden but is open to the public at various times during the year.  We chugged on and went through Greensforge lock, then stopped at the services for water and had a cup of tea as it started to rain.

It was only a shower and soon brightened up and so we carried on.

In we come

Cruising through Swindon

We then came to the three locks which are in Swindon.  We got through those okay and cruised on to the Botterham Staircase of two locks.  There was a boat coming down so we helped them through then it was our turn.  You fill the top lock and once Kev was in the bottom lock, I emptied the top lock into the bottom lock, then opened the gates and Kev went into the next lock and then I filled that one and we were up and on our way again. There were a couple of boats coming down, the chap on the cruiser helped me, but the chap on the ex-working boat didn’t do much, never mind not everyone is friendly and helps!

In Botterham Staircase

We chugged on a bit further and as it started looking as though it was going to rain, we moored at Wombourne.  By the moorings are a couple of bungalows and they have made the garden really nice right by the moorings so a nice place to stop.

There is a Sainsburys just down the road from here so we will have lunch, then take a stroll down the road.

We are staying here tonight then off again tomorrow.

Moored at Wombourne

Kinver to Gothersley Round House (Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal)

In Kinver Lock

We are on the move today and the sun was shining as we set off along the canal and soon came to Kinver Lock.  It was ready for us so it didn’t take long and soon we were chugging on again.

Going through Dunsley Tunnel

We stopped at the services to fill up with water, get rid of rubbish, etc., and then we were off again. 

In Stewpony Lock

Weir by the lock

We then came to Dunsley Tunnel which is only 25yds and then next was Stewpony lock.  Once through there we passed the Stourbridge canal and then the next bit of canal is very winky wonky.

We chugged on in the sunshine and moored at the site of the Gothersley Round House, which was built in 1805 as part of the ironworks, and lived in until the 1930s.  it is a lovely quiet sunny spot.

Ashwood Nurseries

We had lunch then went for a walk up to the bridge and down a path and out onto the road.  We went to do a cache but unfortunately couldn’t find it, so then we walked on along the road and came to Ashwood Nurseries so thought we would go in and have a look.  It was a really nice place but absolutely heaving with people there was hundreds there, the busiest garden centre we have been to!

Our Barbie

There was a really nice coffee shop so we had a coffee and a scone sat in the sunshine then walked back to the canal and back to the boat.

It was a lovely sunny evening so we had a BBQ and sat outside.  It was lovely and our first for this year so let’s hope we have many more.

We are staying here tonight then off again tomorrow.

Moored at the Gothersley Round House

Day At Kinver (Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal)

Friday 2^nd June

Kinver Rock Houses

Topostone

Having lunch in the Drizzle

When we got up this morning it was raining, so we waited for the rain to ease off and then we set out for our walk.  We walked down to the Holy Austin Rock Houses which are houses built into the side of the rocks and were lived in until 1935.  We didn’t go in them today as we did them when we were here last October, but there are some great walks up onto Kinver Edge so we followed the path up the hill and onto the Iron Age Fort where at the top is a Toposcope and wonderful views of five counties.  We stopped there for our picnic lunch, the spitty rain was on and off for most of the afternoon, but it was okay.

Nanny's Rock

After our lunch, we followed the path all the along the top then went downhill and up again and then came to Nanny’s Rock. 

This is another rock house and was named after a reclusive inhabitant who made herbal potions, this five roomed cavern was first lived in by ‘Meg-o-Fox Hole’, who died in 1617.

Inside Nanny's Rock

Kinver Church

We walked on along the path and after a while we started coming back down and eventually came out onto the road.  The Kinver Edge Farm Shop was just down the road so we walked down there and had a coffee and then picked our own rhubarb like we did when we were here last October.

Lovely window in the church

We then walked back up the road and then came to Kinver Church.  Apparently the church is usually locked, but there was some bell ringers there who were doing a peel for one of the chaps whose birthday it was, it would take them three hours!  So they let us have a look inside, it is really nice.  

We then walked down the steep hill, glad we were going down and not up and back to the boat.

When we got back it rained quite hard so we were very lucky.  We are staying here tonight then off tomorrow.

Boundary Stone to Kinver (Staffordshire & Worcester Canal)

We are moving onto Kinver this morning, it is only a mile or so away, but we want to catch a bus to Merry Hill Shopping Centre as we have bought ourselves a new toilet, one with a ceramic bowl which Thetford have recently brought out, they were always plastic but they have brought out a ceramic bowl toilet and so we have now gone upmarket!  It came with one cassette but we need two, so we ordered one through E-Bay and you can collect it at Argos so that is where we are off to today.

In Whittington Lock

We chugged on along the canal and it was another fine sunny warm morning and soon we came to Whittington lock, there was a boat in front of us, so we waited for them to go through then it was our turn.  This is quite a deep lock but didn’t take too long and soon we were underway again.

Up we come

We went around the bend and moored up in the visitor moorings at Kinver.  The bus stop is not far away from the canal so we walked up there and got the bus.  It is about a 30 minute journey to Merry Hill.

Our TV aerial also decided to pack up so we first went to Screwfix to get a new one, then had a walk around the shops and had a Chinese lunch in the food court in the shopping centre then to Argos to get our purchase then back on the bus and back to Kinver.

Kev wired in the new aerial and hurray we now have TV as we haven’t had it for a few days.

We are staying here tomorrow as well as we want to visit the Rock Houses again.

Moored at Kinver in glorious sunshine