Hagley to Stourton on the Monarch's Way Part 2

Stourbridge town centre: refreshed, we carry on with the Monarch's Way. (Rare sighting of other half - in green tee shirt, and eating aniseed twists)

We leave the road at the Bonded Warehouse. Records show that Charles II carried on towards Wordsley, but as that's along a busy road, and there is nothing there to see now, we carry on... 

...along the Stourbridge Canal

Nearing Wollaston, we peek at the buildings on what used to Sunrise Medical. The good news is they've taken River Stour out of the concrete culverts and are turning it into a feature, as it deserves.

The Tudor Crystal sign

Some of the old buildings, with doors straight out onto the canal for loading. 

We turn left at this junction...

...where straight away the canal narrows. It's an aqueduct over the River Stour.

The Stour

The canal turns rural almost immediately. We are deep into horse country here.

Reflections

While repairs were being made to the canal embankment here, the opportunity was used to build  this lake - for fishing.

There are little islands

The towpath is very good.

The sad sight of the old sunken boat

Nearing Stourton.

Britain's most beautiful locks? Discuss!

Closing the lock gate for a boat.

The Monarch's Way turns right at this junction, but we turn left towards Stewpony lock and the car!

Stewpony Lock

We will continue the Monarch's Way soon. Perhaps at half term.

Today's walk: part of a day walking along the Monarch's Way from Hagley to Stourton. Distance: 9 miles. Well signed, but probably wise to have a handbook or similar in case you miss the tiny signs in the built up streets. Contact me if you need help/advice. Details below.
What is the Monarch's Way? It's a 631 mile long distance footpath, originally established by Trevor Antill, and now maintained by the Monarch's way Association. The route starts at Powick, where the Charles II lost the Battle of Worcester, and continues north past Boscobel, and over to the Severn. As Charles was unable to cross this, the route then goes back down south again, to Charmouth, and then finally to Shoreham where the king's party finally found a ship to take them to the continent.