It was another sunny but misty morning when Adrian took Macc out for his first toilet visit of the day. We’ve really enjoyed the mooring above Wolverley Court Lock — it’s quiet, it’s good for solar, and has a nice place for Macc to play. We set off about 9, with Adrian walking down to set the lock. We’d been planning to make our first stop of the day on the Sainsbury’s moorings at Kidderminster, so we could make a visit to Pets and Home to stock up on dog treats. But while there were some short gaps between boats, the moorings were full. In contrast to where we’d been, they’re noisy, dingy, and have a busy towpath, so they wouldn’t be somewhere we’d stop overnight. So we carried on to Kidderminster Lock, which also needed turning. This is a deep one, and is overlooked by the church.
The view ahead is less imposing, because although there’s a chimney from a former carpet factory, there’s also the ring road and a retail park.
And once you’re down the lock it’s worse, because you’re under the road. The rather clever artwork that used to be under here is now completely covered over with graffiti.
We moored up outside Tesco, choosing a place in full sun and with some grass alongside. We’d had the washing machine on and the dryer was doing its thing, so solar input was important.
I went to Tesco for a massive shop while Adrian tried largely unsuccessfully to get Macc to have a nap. Then while he put away all the shopping, I went to Aldi for wine, then back to Tesco a couple of times for extra things we’d thought of. It was nearly 12 when we set off again. Caldwall Lock is not far away, and is built into the rock.
Below that is the viaduct which takes the Severn Valley steal railway over the canal. No trains to be seen today though.
We did Falling Sands Lock, making it four out of four that needed filling before we could use it, and then carried on a little way to moor beyond Bridge 10 where there’s decent piling. We picked the most open spot we could. Macc had still not slept much, so we gave him his lunch and then I took him for a little walk before we had ours. He’s now been asleep most of the afternoon, as his tiredness has finally caught up with him. Adrian has been for a walk to see what was further down the canal, and I’ve put together another podcast episode.
4 miles, 4 locks. (114 miles, 112 locks)