14th Sept. '12

A late start this morning, which became even later as I reminded John that he wanted to check the weed hatch now that we were clear of Birmingham murk and the water quality was really good. So over an hour and a half later he has finally fished out a full carrier bag of bits of plastic, inner tubes, jeans etc. all debris that somehow find themselves in the canal and then ultimately around propellers of boats. I have to say that the boat is now handling remarkably better than it has been - John is vowing to check it more often. Watch this space!

We therefore didn't get through the Autherley Junction until well after 12 and then needed water, and I got postcards for mum in the little shop there. Finally now we are on the Shropshire Union Canal, and very lovely it is too!

We have only come as far as Brewood (pronounced Brood) and are moored up relaxing. We have been here before, but in the motorhome. We stayed overnight in a pub car-park and cycled along the canal in autumn a few years ago. We remember it most for the dire state of the tow-paths, which were covered in leaves and very muddy. Not the best thing for cycling on to be honest.

We are near a bridge where there is a pub (called strangely enough, The Bridge) and they say they welcome dogs so we are going to take Paddy out for a circular walk of the village tonight and end up there. We are moored in a deepish cut and there is no telly. No Mrs. Browns' Boys for us tonight...

I have actually got some washing hanging out on the back of the boat. I am finding this very exciting since we aren't allowed to do this in the marina (it lowers the tone) and I'm enjoying feeling like a bit of a rebel.

 

Phew pictures are uploading properly! This is just after we got on the Shroppie and there was a lady taking her dogs for a walk with a bag of bread in her hand - she was joined by some hopeful ducks!

Here you are - the M54 - goes to Shrewsbury I think (that's what John said anyway)

Just around the early section of the canal it changes rapidly from being very wide to very narrow and back again. There must be some parts where the rock they were digging through was a lot tougher than others. Heres a narrow section and you can see how shallow it is right next to the boat. There wasn't much room on the other side either. This has happened a few time so far but I think it's pretty much over now.

When the canals were being constructed they often had to pass through estates and occasionally the land-owners demanded high compensation for the use of their land. Some like this one, insisted that his new bridge giving access to his house was built in an ornamental way to complement his home. Compare this with the previous picture of the M54.....progress?

I am now going to go back and get on with my knitting project - Rachels birthday is approaching and she is the last of the 5 girls to get something knitted this year. THEN I shall get on with my own jacket that's been waiting for me since March. John is relaxed to the point of comatose and it's Paddys tea time so we shall see what tomorrow brings - another peaceful day I suspect. There's something about the Shroppie that defies overt activity.