Dog & Doublet to Hopwas
7 miles, 3 locks
As you probably gathered from yesterday's blog I did not have a good day. I think it was the after effects of the fall combined with exhaustion from the long day getting out of Birmingham. Today I feel back on top form with a few less aches, although the leg is still mighty sore.
It is definitely getting chillier again, but was thankfully dry. It was back to 3 - 4 layers on the back deck today and we saw some people sporting woolly hats.
We set off around 09:30 with Monty and I walking ahead to set the lock - just three to do today. The first was empty, but the other two were full ready for us, so a very light work load.
I did wonder what is going on here? I assume the red sign is/was new and half of it has fallen off? We could see from our mooring that the pub was very busy yesterday, so it is far from abandoned, but the outside definitely needs some tlc.
The first real sign that we were getting out into the country again - a field of cows.
Curdworth
Efforts have definitely been made to make it look cared for
This is the start of Kingsbury Water Park made from redundant gravel pits which definitely looks worth exploring if we come this way again.
There are plenty of places to moor a bit further along with access to the park
and more access a little further along.
On past Drayton Manor Park
Just before Fazeley Junction we stopped and headed for the shops. The pharmacy were able to provide me with more wound dressings and iodine patches. I have a week's supply after which Chris has suggested amputation if it has not healed!! The Tesco Express was well stocked, so our rather empty fridge is much happier now.
We were turning left to Fradley and the North at the junction.
Looking back at the junction.
We pulled in to the services on the non towpath side after the junction to find a notice saying the services had been relocated to Fazeley Mill Marina which we had passed well before we reached Fazeley! Talk about annoying. We have enough water to manage until Fradley, but it would have been good to get rid of the rubbish and yellow water.
At Hopwas we passed Araf
Making our way through to the north of Hopwas past two wonderful magnolias and a rather impressive willow tree
to moor up just past Hopwas School Bridge. No traffic noise, just birds singing in the trees. Bliss.
Monty's and my afternoon walk was certainly the prettiest we have done for a long time.
And on the opposite side of the canal there is a Military Firing Range
open to the public when red flags or red lanterns are not in evidence.
Very shortly it will be a carpet of blue.
2 comments:
I hope that what you’ve called the top lock was actually the bottom one! And what is that guy doing in the photo looking back at the junction murals? I think he might be stepping over the fence, but you’ve caught him in a very strange pose!
Oops - yes, thank you Adam it was, of course, the bottom lock. I am afraid I have a tendency to get my ups and downs, tops and bottoms muddled when it comes to locks. My proof reader, however, does not, so I will blame him! And yes, the man was stepping over the fence - there was a group of volunteers out doing some gardening and other little jobs.
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