A choice - along the Stourbridge Canal

Needing to walk home from the garage today, I was faced with a choice.

To go this way (along the roads of Wollaston)

...or this? (the Stourbridge Canal)

Not much of a choice really!

Within 200m I found a moorhen sitting on a nest (well camouflaged - nest, and bird)

The route was very green, even though it was very near main roads and houses

I didn't realise there was a boatbuilder in Amblecote! I don't think it was Noah..

These old factories were interesting. Not sure if this was a chute for goods or just for drainage 

This was definitely for goods - a roofed "lay-by", where goods could be loaded onto a narrow boat without getting wet. Sadly in disrepair nowadays.

The bridge-name made me smile. Named after the local locksmiths, or after someone who ate all the pies?

 There is lots of fascinating history here - but unfortunately the local graffiti artists have rather ruined this explanation board - and the others I passed.

Ah, and now a left turn - towards Stourton. 

To be continued...