Smethwick to Gas Street Basin

Needing to go to Birmingham, I bought a Rover ticket for the train, and got off at Smethwick Galton Bridge, and headed for the canal. It's first left, by the roadsign.

On the bridge, some firemen were doing rescue training

Galton Bridge was once the largest single span bridge in the world.

One firefighter on the towpath, while another, barely visible through the trees, makes a descent.

This is Galton Tunnel. More of a concrete channel really

I love this stretch of canal. There's a lower route, or a higher route (the higher route is nicer, as the other was built later and is straighter, running through a cutting)

Galton Valley Pumping Station. Old (higher) canal on the right. The lower, newer, branch is just visible, left.

The two canals, old and new, meet here.

Here we can see history - the old brick-built factory on the right, the more recent engineering factory with the blue chimneys, and the newly built warehouses on the left. This is the Soho area, full of engineering and foundries during the Industrial Revolution, but much quieter now.

The canal is left mostly for leisure these days (I ate my lunch here)

The Old Canal meanders in and out of the main route first turning off to the left...

...then coming in from the rght.

Wow - the train startled me: I hadn't realised how close I was to the railway.

And here's the problem with urban canals - a beautiful scene half ruined by graffiti.

A CRT (Canal and River Trust - used to be British Waterways) boat emerges from another branch

Reflected graffiti under a modern road bridge.

And suddenly, just round the corner, proud modern buildings

I was just coming up to Gas Street Basin,

... right in the the centre of Birmingham.

Of which, more in the next blog.

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Himley to Stewponey, Kinver

I was off to the optician in Kingswinford. I got a lift to Himley Hall, and then decided to walk to Kinver after my eye appointment.

Starting at Himley Hall Park - the thatched boathouse of the Earl of Dudley now serves as a clubhouse for the sailing club.

The main gates were being painted. Very unusual to come into the park this way - but nearer for where I was heading.

There's a path from the main road which leads to this, Home Farm, Himley. The sign gives opening times, but I don't know what for.

The path becomes a track - easy to follow, though it does pass some colliery spoil heaps (grassed over) and a former industrial waste site!

Quite pleasant in parts, though.

Eventually I came out by Stallings Lane, a small industrial estate

There's then a path through a lovely park (heron on the dam) and on to Kingswinford.

Down the main road to the market, where I stopped at Jilly's Cafe for a beautifully cooked poached egg on granary toast. The cakes looked good, but it was too early for them)
Not long till Christmas, apparently!

The former MEB showroom with its interesting architecture!

Now a Travelodge, this is a lovely old building. Presumable once the home of an industrialist associated with the glass, coal or iron industries. (I couldn't find out)

Then, past Summerhill school I turned onto this path, which runs along the edge of woodland.

Easy to follow

And with far reaching views  - even on a dull day with poor visibility. 

Crossing the road near Lawnswood, the path got narrower

I wonder if we will have a hard winter. Plenty of berries - but perhaps too early yet  for the birds to have got to them.

There are some very posh houses just visible through the trees

...and of course, still plenty of Autumn colour.

Rural views

At the end of the woodland, there are two choices: either into the estate for a few yards, and get to the canal that way, or two, find this bridge

... and cross here, over the River Stour

...to the Stourbridge Canal

The woodland here is very varied and beautiful.

Plenty of colour in the trees as I walked

I was amazed by these colours on these dying rose bay willow herbs.

A traditional narrow boat, by Stourton Top Lock. You can even see the polished brass inside (Though it's probably rude to look!)

The lock right by the A449

Stourton Bottom lock. Stunning as ever

From here I turned right, towards Stewponey Lock

Traditional boats here too

My final destination comes into view: the octagonal toll house at Stewponey Lock.

A dull day, but a brilliant walk. Around 7 miles in total, with easy to follow paths, on the whole. Recommended, especially now. With so many trees, there's plenty of Autumn colour to see.

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Today's walk. From Himley, follow the path to Hoome Farm, then to Stalling Lane , Wall Heath (Pretty much a straight line.) Opposite Morrisons, go between the houses and follow a path through King George VI Park, passing the church, Down High Street, past the market, down Summer Hill and Lodge Lane. Turn left onto the path after Summer Hill School, and follow thepaths on the edge of the woodland. Reaching Lawnswood, take the narrower path up towards the next lot of woodland, and keep to the paths which travel straight forward. Eventually, you will reach bridges across the Stour to the canal. Turn right along the canal. Follow past locks till the junction with the Staffs and Worcs CAnal. Cross the bridge, and head to towards Stourport. You could acarry on to Kinver village - about 1.5 miles more , and find a place to eat before catching a bus (infrequent). 7 miles to Stewponey. An excellent, easy walk.

Sandwell Valley Country Park - two lakes walk

I was in Sandwell today - where to explore? I saw a patch of green on my map, right next to the motorway, and found this amazing place...

...Sandwell Valley Country Park. (A better map and other details is available by clicking here)


It didn't get off to a promising start - you have to pay the entrance fee if you want to use the cafe. At the risk of starving, I carried on without refreshments.

The Farm is probably quite good - it's just that I wanted to walk, not look at exhibits...

...though there was some farm machinery along the path

There are over 600 acres to explore, but not knowing it, I stuck to the main paths. I headed for Swan Pool

Autumn colours (motorway right behind them)

I have a real fascination for green spaces so close to built up areas and motorways,

I had to cross the M5 footbridge - just before it merges with the M6.

And only a few metres away, there's this splendid view: Swan Poool

...with actual swans

The Park is crossed by several cycle trails : you can hire bikes too 

I followed a path round Forge Mill lake - I liked the apple trees nearly

The  path was clear

Aeroplane high overhead

Someone had been learning survival skills 

 I came upon the Nature Centre,

with its charming sign. I could indeed see busy bees inside!

In the grounds, the remains of some beautiful wildflowers
 

...incuding cornflowers and vetch

The lakeside hide was closed (not my day really!)

But there was a good view of the marshy wetland over this interesting fence

  

I could see waders, as well as the more usual wildfowl.

Deeper water, still with a good variety of birds (the building is the Nature Centre)

The highlight of my day was here - those black birds are cormorants: there were at least 8. (Yes, I need a better zoom)

Looking back up Forge Mill Lake

Back to Swan Pool

And finally, back to my start at Sandwell Park Farm

And as I reached my car, I saw this sign - another nature reserve, and a ruined priory: something to investigate next time.

In summary: a great walk. Apart from actually crossing the motorway, you are well removed from the traffic, and in a lovely green space.
Today's walk: I parked by Sandwell Park Farm (plenty of free parking) and followed signs to Swan Pool, and then to the Forge Mill Lake, then the Nature Reserve. To continue around the lake, the walk is not signposted, but you can work it out. I carried on round the other side of Swan Pool on my return. The whole walk was 5 miles. Highly recommended.
PS I saw a walk from here to Barr Beacon, so I'll try that soon, as well as the Priory Woods one

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