Today we set off at 08:30 through Coseley Tunnel towards Wolverhampton.
We made our way passed Birmingham’s industrial heritage and quite a lot of relatively new housing developments. Our friend Lloyd, who travelled on the boat with us, knew the area well and pointed out local landmarks and the sites of famous factories. Often, huge rubble heaps now are the only remains of these factories and foundries. We got to the Canal & River Trust service area at Broad Street Junction in the shadow of the distinctive triangular Chubb Building, formerly a prison.
One of the best things about CRT service areas is the array of books and DVDs left by those who have passed through before us, so we often pick up a book, or film, and then return them to the next set of services we reach after we have read or watched them.
Hilary’s brother Martin met us here, having cycled from Kidderminster this morning. He loaded his bicycle into our “bike shed” in the cratch area and set about getting us through the Wolverhampton Locks as efficiently as possible.
All along the canals walls provide a canvas for graffiti artists. From a Banksy in Gas Street Basin to Jesus (heart) you! on every bridge, and Taxi Driver Travis Bickle in Wolverhampton.
We ran through the locks with ruthless efficiency and arrived at Aldersley Junction at 14:00, turning right onto the Shropshire Union Canal. Left again at Autherley Junction, through another lock by the Toll Office (about a 12" drop in water level) and we moored up just pass some fishermen fairly close to the Toll Office.
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