First real trip: Day 28

It had rained overnight but was dry this morning when we set off at about 8.45 with Macc already having his post-breakfast nap in his crate. The journey of a mile or so to the Stourton Locks was not without interest, as we had to pass an oncoming boat and ended up on the bottom, even though we were about 4ft from the bank. Adrian opted to work the locks, and the top one was KV’s one-hundredth lock.

The by-wash comes out from a brick arch on the offside, and must go under people’s gardens.

The top two locks needed filling, but the third one was already full. The fourth lock completed the flight, and then we turned left onto the Staffs and Worcester Canal towards Stourport.

Surprisingly, there were no boats moored at Stourton Junction, and none above Stewponey Lock. The old canal buildings there are rather pretty.

This lock took a while to fill, and when Adrian investigated why, it turned out both the bottom paddles were a couple of inches up. Once he’d closed them properly he could get the top gate open. Below the lock, the most noticeable feature is Dunsley Tunnel, all of 25 yards long. It has a brick portal at this end, but is all bare rock inside.

We moored up shortly afterwards, on the bend just before Hyde Lock. It’s a place we’ve always liked the look of but never stopped before. There’s a grassy hill opposite with a wood on top, so the outlook is good.

The sun came out briefly, and we took Macc for a walk little walk down to the lock which is only a few hundred yards in front of us. When we got back, he settled in his bed in the well deck, chewing a cheese stick and looking out of the window.

After lunch the rain came down, not heavily but steadily, for probably a couple of hours. I achieved two things this afternoon: decrystalising some honey, and completing my tax return! Adrian has been doing some work for the charity he’s involved with.

3 miles, 5 locks. (105 miles, 104 locks)