Staffs and Worcs Canal - locking down

Tuesday, 01 December 2009 08:00

Going down!

Compton Lock is the first one down from the summit

It has one of the circular weirs common on the locks down to Stourport

After the lock is Limekiln Chandlery and we called in for some Taybrite, stocking up for winter! Compton Bridge has good access to shops and a Chinese that used to have "All you can eat" on Sundays and Mondays the last time we were here. We did not stop this time, but figured that it must be at least five years ago.

Compton moorings and Bridge

The Wightwick (pronounced "Wittick") Locks were next. Both have bridges at the bottom gates - a tight fit but lovely canal architecture and evocative of the days of working boats as I hovered underneath waiting for John to shut the gates.

Exiting Wightwick Mill Lock

Looking back now the worker was steering!

The next lock is very soon and was to be our last of the day; if our memory served us well, there were good moorings not too far away! It was a toss up as to whether to stay near Wightwick or go a little further towards Mops Farm Bridge.

Wightwick Lock is very attractive, shame the house is boarded up now

The bridge here has seen better days and the gates look as if they need some TLC

This was the view back as we went under Wightwick Bridge (56)

It looks deceptive - the sun shining away! in fact the sun was very low in the sky and it was getting really cold. We decided that we would moor up just after the bridge and not carry on. Despite the roads it is a quiet spot and handy for The Mermaid pub. Again, we have visited the pub in the past, but not for us today. We were ready for a cup of tea and a warm by the fire!

We were disappointed to find out that the National Trust's Wightwick Manor is closed for the winter. Another reason to come back again!

Wolverhampton Boat Club on the Shropshire Union to Wightwick on the Staffs and Worcs - 2 hours 47 minutes, 4.4 miles, 4 locks