What Bliss! A Canal Home again

Tuesday, 15 December 2009 14:52

You lucky Epiphany Blog Addicts - I have returned!

Despite the "horrors" of Russells Hall Hospital, I am well recovered. It is amazing what a few doses of IV antibiotics will do to a poorly chest! So if not the hospital, what "Bliss" am I talking about?

Definitely not the RHH!

Wait for it ......... A cold nose in the morning!

Yes, it is wonderful to wake up in my own bed, cosy and warm and comfortable but with a cold nose. The morning ambient temperature in Epiphany is much healthier than the one in an hospital.

Enough - it is time to allow you all to catch up with us. This may take a few blogs, but at least you won't risk withdrawal symptoms now.

So where did I leave you? Ah yes, Wordsley Junction, a week ago! We turned off the main line of the Stourbridge Canal and went down the Town Arm to Stourbridge. We only stopped overnight so did not explore the town, but we took Epiphany right down to the end.

Wordsley Junction (again!)

The Arm was built in 1779. The large iron works of John Bradley and Co. spread along the arm and during the next 50 years the town of Stourbridge grew spectacularly. This development continued as the town became an important railway centre - an interchange between rail and water  - and surprisingly the canal survived.

Junction Cottages just at the beginning of the Arm

The first one has a window over the door with the legend - "5 The Junction, 1829, built by J Guest". The canal then enters factory country and for a short section passes the backs of factories, which incidentally reach to the main line of Stourbridge Canal as it climbs up the locks.

Factories and factory window

A walker on the towpath hailed us as we continued into a more pleasant stretch, "there is a barge across the canal ahead". We wondered what to expect. Would we have to do a "rescue" job? No, we saw warning signs: "tree felling" and then saw this

Work barge

There were 5 operatives aboard, does it really take that many? 4 sat passive whilst the helmsman attempted to get out of our way; eventually he managed it! Nearing the end the Old Foundry appeared on a bend.

The Old Foundry, now derelict

It was here the Stourbridge Lion was produced. Not a lion in the true sense but the first commercial rail loco to run on rails in America. Railway Buffs read about it here!

The old iron works entrances and wharf

The "new" footbridge (Neville Garratt Bridge) signalled the end of the Arm. Just before it there is Joyners Wharf and a water tap. Once through the bridge we were into permanent moorings which lined either side of the canal. They were up to three boats deep on the towpath side, which is private land beyond the bridge.

Joyners Wharf and footbridge

Moorings at Town End

There is a winding hole at the end, a tight one for anything above 60 foot I would think, although I am sure the trip boat probably manages it as they have had plenty of practice! In honour of our arrival the guys by the trip boat put the Christmas lights on!

Winding hole and a selection of photos taken during our 6 point turn! Carefully avoiding the trip boat as we had an audience!

Right at the end of the wharf is the Bonded Warehouse (above left) built in 1799 and it has been lovingly restored and cared for by the Stourbridge Navigation Trust. It is used regularly for many activities and makes an impressive "full stop" to the Stourbridge Town Arm.

John and the Christmas lights

After winding we returned under Neville Garratt Bridge to the visitor moorings on the old iron wharf. We settled for the afternoon and evening, as by then it was getting dark and cold and neither of us felt up to exploring further!

Visitor moorings beyond swans

The next day we would be moving on - and the story continues in my next blog!

Stourbridge Canal (Town Arm), Wordsley Junction to Town End Visitor moorings - 1 Hour 29 mins, 1.53 miles, 0 locks