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I could spend ages on this bit of the Staffs and Worcs
There is so much to see and so much to explore that if you moor up after every few bridges you could take days to do the last few miles! You could also go "from pub to pub"! There seems to be one at almost every bridge!
Swindon to Greensforge was our morning trip. Swindon had neat houses and gardens, but is a brief section before we were in open countryside again. Hinksford lock is isolated but below is Hinksford Wharf, before the canal sweeps around to Hinksford Bridge (39) and the second pub named the "Old Bush Inn"! The first one is in Swindon by Bridge 40.
Hinksford Lock (I do work some locks!)
Hinksford Wharf
"Trusty! belongs to Canal Transport Services and can be used for freight through this company. It is beautifully maintained.
Hinksford Bridge has seen better days
The canal closes in and becomes wooded towards Greensforge. There are permanent on-line moorings here and we stopped above Greensforge Lock for water etc. It was also time for lunch - hot dogs and onions, yum!
At Greensforge Lock there is yet another pub
Imaginatively named (!), we have eaten in this pub - they do a mean sausage in a giant Yorkshire pud and mash if my memory serves me well. Other features here include what must be a pumping station on Smestow Brook (I am sure someone will enlighten me!) and a lovely BCN working boat moored above the lock.
 
Ashwood Basin
This used to be owned by the National Coal Board and was connected to the railway. Once the line closed it lay disused but it is now a marina and boat club. The viaduct in the background carries a road.
After Flatheridge Bridge there is a garden centre with an amazing garden. We remember it being created and it has continued to develop. I love the deer under the tree.
 
Rocky Lock is worth a mention as it marks the beginning of the section that cuts into the sandstone of the hills around Kinver and the canal continues to follow the valley of the Smestow Brook.
Rocky Lock 
John negotiates steps down to Epiphany
Gothersley lock bridge could decapitate the unwary boater!
The memorial site of Gothersley Roundhouse
- built as part of the Iron Works here and lived in until the 1930's. The moorings here are "5 day max" and although wooded is an attractive location. Shame about the rubbish inside the wall.
Two more points of interest are Devil's Den and The Stour Aqueduct.
 
The Foley family, who owned Prestwood Hall were Black Country Ironmasters and Devil's den is said to be their boathouse - hewn out of the rock. The aqueduct crosses the Stour and as the canal curved to the right we saw the lovely lake and house on the off side.
 
Finally we arrived at Stourton Junction, the way onto the BCN
Signpost pointing the way 
We shall go up the locks in a few days time, but for now we continued under Stourton Bridge to moor on the visitor moorings above Stewponey Lock.
Staffs and Worcs Canal, Swindon to Stewponey - 3 hours 42 minutes, 4.54 miles, 5 locks
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