There were lots of interesting boats to look at. This is an old British Waterways Ice Breaker, now restored.
I think the dog is a later addition though.
Traditional working boats
Other old canal-related vehicles
The trip boat was very busy
Some boat passengers, and Bumble Hole cafe/tearooms on the opposite bank.
The festival is by a canal juntion - the third sign (hidden) points towards Halesowen. (Properly known as Hales Owen)
We carried on, along the towpath over one of the black and white bridges,...
...walking to the entrance to Netherton tunnel.
Near the tunnel, Cobb's Engine House. Built around 1830, and properly known as Windmill End Pumping Station, it stood over a shaft which was 525 feet deep. In its heyday, it pumped out 1,600,000 litres a day - all going into the canal, which must have kept it topped up.
The leaves are starting to turn autumnal already.
Walking up the hill, you can see how tall the chimney was. I think this was to make sure the smoke was blown clear away.
There are good views of the Black Country from here - as well as a huge bouncy castle today!
Bulrushes in a pond. This area, once a hive of industry, full of mining, ironworks and often covered in a pall of smoke (hence the Black Country name), is now a nature reserve
The canals came with the industry, of course, leaving Birmingham and the Black Country with more miles of canal than Venice.
Back at the canal, we admired some of the stalls: this one sold dog-related items
Another historic boat
This was from the Commercial Boat Owners Association , which promotes trade on the canals: nowadays more is carried than you might think.
Boats were three deep in places
I loved this a butty boat (the one without the engine, towed by the motorboat) selling jam - called, of course, the Jam Butty.
Lots of local boats had come for the occasion
The place was thronging with people
It was a very pleasant day, very well supported, both by boats and by locals.
There was even a funfair - larger than this picture shows.
If you're interested in the festival, click here for more details.
A good day out, and we manged to walk three miles without really noticing the exercise, as there was so much to see.
Today's walk: park on Windmill end road (postcode DY2 9SU). Walk along the canal in any of three directions (but going deep into Netherton Tunnel without a torch isn't recommended - the towpath has holes in places). Or, simply explore the nature reserve. Climb the hill for great views. Walk as little or as far as you wish, but try to take in the visitor's Centre (and its excellent cafe - if open)
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