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Who? The Weather forecasters, of course!
Being typically British (well English, and proud of it) I have to mention the weather! Rain was forecast for us today and today we got - rain! This must be the first time they have had it correct and is the first day we have cruised in the rain for about a month. Unbelievable.
We were beginning to think that the South Shroppie and the Staffs and Worcs have a climate all of their own. Still, all wrapped up in wet weather gear and layers of clothing, who cares!
So off we set down Wolverley Lock
Passing what was the old Smithy at the top. This is now a tea room run by The Lock pub. It seems to be open everyday. As there are a fair number of walkers and cyclists passing by it must be worth it. I have even spotted boaters patronising it, as they wait on the lock landing!
We had this lock and Wolverley Court Lock to do before winding to return to Stourton Junction. It was windy at Wolverley Court Lock and I fought to get Epiphany into the lock.
The last time we were here they were just finishing the construction of flood defences for Kidderminster and we moored just below Wolverley Court Lock, under the new bank, to shelter from some very strong overnight winds. It was our first experience of "hurricane" conditions on a boat. Twelfth Night had far less on the roof that we have on Epiphany, but we took everything off.
The winding hole is just past an aqueduct and on the outskirts of Kidderminster.
Winding hole
It is a bit awkward because of the aqueduct and it is also very shallow at the apex - I would not like to turn a boat over 60foot here.
I "jumped ship" to let John control Epiphany against the wind and get her into Wolverley Court Lock again. Typically the wind had died down and he had an easy job!
The top gate paddle gear is unusual
There are two separate ratchets, each controlling a paddle. Only problem was, to operate the one on the towpath side you have to balance on the gate bridge or have very long arms to reach over the water. I opted to open only the offside one as I could do that from the lock side.
Leaving Wolverley Court Lock behind (thankfully!)
We retraced our route, through Wolverley Lock and Debdale Lock - the "rock lock". Cookley Tunnel had not gained any headroom and again we took it very slowly. In fact there was something floating in the tunnel which we hit with a bit of a scrape.
Cookley Tunnel
Whittington Lock was next, the bottom gates took some shutting. They do not meet until the top paddles are opened and the flow of water closes them with a thud after about a minute.
Looking back it looks tranquil, the rain had eased
The River Stour, which runs alongside much of the canal south of Stourton was an hive of the iron industry in the 17th century, using charcoal from the Kinver Forest and water power via mills along its banks. The iron forges and slitting mills cut bars of iron into rods for making nails or sharpened blades. Whittington, like other hamlets along the Lower Stour, had a forge and mill. Some of the buildings are now residences.
The house above the lock is Old Nail Mill
So we came to Kinver, to find that most of the visitor moorings were occupied. We reversed a bit and moored opposite the area known as Gibraltar.
Staffs and Worcs Canal, Wolverley to Kinver (via winding hole) - 3 hours 36 minutes, 6.01 miles, 6 locks
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