Of locks and boats

Back on the Stourbridge Canal, heading towards Stourton, a narrow boat passes an abandoned boat

Always a sad sight to see 

From its stern it looks as if it was a butty boat. The one without the engine, towed by its partner boat with a motor.

Stourton locks: this is lock number two, complete with fisherman

There are four locks altogether in this flight

They are so close that the pound between them has to be extended to cope with water flow

Back home, and Dunsley Farm is selling off some land.

A mysterious lake

Continuing on the Stourbridge Canal towards Stourton 

A very small aqueduct

 Looking over towards Wollaston

Not much Autumn colour yet

A tranquil scene

The towpath is in great condition. Good surface, and looks like it's just been mowed.

Purple loosestrife

And then this. A lake has appeared. Difficult to see, as it's the same colour as the sky! Not mentioned on the maps,...

...but quite extensive - even has a couple of islands!

Earthworks show its construction is still a work in progress.

Very mysterious...

As I got to the end of the lake, there was a sign saying that the canal bank was being reinforced, and a private fishing lake was being built. 

Mystery solved! (But fun while it lasted)

.

If you want details of any of my walks, email me at lucygriffiths1112%gmail.com, replacing the % with @. Or comment below

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...

Swan rescue!

A lovely place to eat lunch today. Himley Hall, owned by Dudley Council. A former stately home, with grounds laid out by Capability Brown

There were a few birds around: swans, cygnets (almost fully grown now)... 

 ...Canada geese, mallards and coots

But what's this? This cygnet is trailing a fishing rod (just visible if you squint carefully)

Himley Hall Sailing Club to the rescue! Here's the safety boat...

...quickly getting ready to respond

Sailing up past the scorer's hut

In a backwater, the cygnet has now freed itself (it was hooked up for about an hour)

Himley's warden, John, pulls in the fishing rod,... 

 ...checking that the hook was still attached (it was).

Looking back to Himley Hall from the lake. Order is now restored, and peace descends once more.

Essential walking companions!

No walking photos today.

I've been experimenting with a new App on my phone called Map my Run.

Try it here 

It gives an accurate summary of how you have walked, height climbed, calories burned etc.

But I couldn't work out how to take pictures on my phone at the same time, so no pics of yesterday's 5.5 mile walk. From the garage back to my house. In 1hour 40, which was quite good, I thought.

Meanwhile, here's the new rucksack. You remember, the dog ate the straps on the last one.

A Lowe Alpine daysack. Front view

 Back view

Handy pockets on the shoulder strap

Air can flow freely as the straps hold the sack away from your body

 A pocket on the hip belt.

Verdict so far? I love it

Near Caunsall

A short walk near Caunsall, Worcestershire.

Committing the fashion crime of stripy tee shirt with stripy bag.

The path is clear through the stubble

Looking back to Kinver  - the church just visible in the trees on the skyline to the right of the white house.

This is part of the North Worcs path leading leading to the Fairy Glen (woods ahead)

There was an absence of fairies, but this tree was a tiny bit magical

Looking over to a livery yard.

We finished at these houses on Sugarloaf Lane before returning

Zooming in on the really tasteful razor wire on the wall(!)

2.5 miles in total - but every little helps