I'm so sorry Reader for my absence but I will explain later, but for now I will resume where I left off that is to say after a couple of nights at the previously named "Wide Bend", just short of Hyde Lock and Kinver.
Not many of these about these days. For my new Reader in Alaska its a letterbox, built into a wall, but the V.R. means Victoria Regina so it dates from her reign that is 1832 to 1901, pretty old. I took this in Cookley I think it was near to The Anchor pub with the cobs yesterday.
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| David leaving The Wide Bend, I walked along to Hyde lock which was just around the bend. |
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| Just around that bend in fact. I always hope to see deer here but have never done so. |
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| Lots and lots and lots of these on the boat roof this am, but that's autumn for you and a breeze. |
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| Hyde Lock. The view is one of David's favourites on the system although far more impressive on a sunny day. |
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| He's looking a trifle chilly down there. |
Such a pleasant day as we headed southwards, a lovely September that brings out the "Cotton Tops" after the children have gone back to school. Did I tell you Reader that in New Zealand it was cold? I was told that this was (July I mean) is their coldest part of winter and when I was there it was the coldest part of winter. One morning I had had to have scrapped the windscreen before driving and frankly Reader I hadn't had to do that in the whole of last UK winter where we live.
I'd had cold feet for the six weeks.
So when I returned David had promised me that the good weather was staying and he was right, I had also requested a sunbed and being served with G&T's but that bit wasn't forthcoming.
The view below was what we had come down this canal in search of. The Staffs to Worcester is in our opinion a great treasure, rolling hills, wooded in places, open views and nice pubs.
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| I think this is reminiscent of the Dordogne. |
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| A sharp bend here, almost a horseshoe bend, but this hire boat was well experienced and reversed onto a straighter section and allowed us to pass. |
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| Cookley and Cookley tunnel. A James Brindley creation dating from 1770. David and I have cycled past up there and cute little cottages they are from the road. |
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| .....but those gardens are not for me, can you imagine pegging out the washing and losing yer balance? |
Now that photo above was taken at Debdale Lock. This cave is described on Google as an artificial cave, 9m x 3m used for storage and stabling horses used for towing narrow boats.
But it's not on the towpath side for access meaning horses would have to cross the lock gates.... Now I wasn't around back then and perhaps some dainty horses could pirouette over the lock gates but I remain a doubter.
Anyone out there know better?
We stopped at Wolverley and moored up enjoying the last of the sunshine before the sun went below the trees.
Supper was fishcakes and wedges.
