Fun on leaving Titford, but safely arrived

Saturday, 30 January 2010 09:38

The Titford Canal threw us another googly before we could get away!

The last two Oldbury lock pounds were empty, so once we got into lock 4 John had to let water down again. I waited around down in the jaws of the lock until he was ready for me to proceed.

That was OK but once we were in the bottom lock we couldn't get out!

John had warned me that there was a lot of rubbish at the bottom and to go slowly. There was also a horrendous smell of diesel - quite a choking smell - not good for the lungs! So I went out slowly and stuck fast with the stem post just outside the lock.

To cut a long (an hour of hard work and thought) story short we were jammed in by a log. John eventually freed us, by sheer perseverance and dogged effort. His last effort before calling BW worked! I wondered if anyone was watching our "live" progress on WaterExplorer and had sent up a prayer thinking - "hmm ... they seem to be in one place for rather a long time, they must be stuck!"

I managed to snatch a photo of the modern "lock cottage" - it is inhabited despite the boarded up windows and elaborate prison like defences!

This is the old wharf (panorama photo) opposite the lock landing, where I waited as John closed the gate

Once free we turned left onto the BCN Old Main Line (or Wolverhampton Level) towards Tipton Junction.

We were under the M5 again!

Looking back at the Junction

Towards Stone Street Bridge

...but only for a short way and once out in the open we left the motorway behind, thankfully.

It looks beautiful - but it was very cold!

You will see from our sidebar (if you are reading this on our web site) that we are now moored by the Black Country Museum - we are here for the weekend.

I will tell you more about today's journey later. It was interesting as there are some major changes from the last time we cruised this bit!