Moving from the modern to the more familiar

Sunday, 20 December 2009 09:18

I am back on board now after my adventure in hospital so it is time to move!

It was a very wet day - a good start after being ill! Leaving the sprawl of Merry Hill we travel the last bit of the Dudley No.1 Canal. First, there is the very modern Harbour area with moorings, both in-line and on secure pontoons. There was some negotiating with the hotel there to construct these pontoons. Although secure, this area can be a little noisy with the bars and restaurants.

After using the BW facilities at the north end of the Harbour (by the barrier under the bridge) we were soon back on"normal" canal after Woodside Bridge. We were thankful to leave the area for more reasons than one!

The Two Lock Line entrance at Woodside Junction

This iron bridge, manufactured by Horseley Co. Tipton 1848 carries the towpath over the old line. The line was closed and filled in due to mining subsidence in 1909. It was a short cut which avoided the longer route via Dudley No. 2 Canal via Park Head Junction. All that remains are the towpath bridges at each end, and a few yards of watered, but unnavigable canal. The remains are now under a late 20th Century industrial estate.

This stretch is very industrialised, but with views of Netherton Hill to the east. It is difficult to believe that just the other side of the industrial estate is the Dudley No. 2 Canal. But the scenery on the No. 2 canal promises more from the glimpses of the hills beside it.

Pear Tree Roving Bridge

This is the penultimate bridge before the next lock, which leads to Park Head Junction. Very soon we rounded a bend to see the large Dudley and Lye Waste Bridge and Blowers Green Lock immediately after it.

Bridge and Lock

John walked to set the lock - it was full

Blowers Green Lock is very deep - 12 feet. It is the deepest on the BCN and replaced two locks that once again were affected by subsidence. The Pump House alongside the lock was restored by the Dudley Canal Trust. It is now the offices of the Trust.

In Blowers Green Lock

Ahead of us was Park Head Junction and the Parkhead Locks which lead to the Southern end of the Dudley Tunnel. Very few modern boats can pass through this tunnel - it has restricted room and boats have to be towed through as there is very limited ventilation. Trips into the tunnel are available from the North end, by the Black Country Museum.

So the locks with the cottage and toll house were not for us!

Instead we turned sharp right, moored temporarily to take on water by the Pump House, and then set off down the Dudley No.2 Canal towards Windmill End.

Dudley No. 1 Canal, Merry Hill to Park Head Junction - 1 hour 6 minutes, 1.46 miles, 1 lock