Wednesday 26^th September. Boy, did it rain last night! I must admit that I didn’t really hear it rain, I slept through but the side of the boat next to the towpath was covered in mud that had been bounced up by the rain on the footpath.

Our mooring ropes were also full of grit and needed a good wash in the canal. We went into Brewood for some supplies and found a lovely family butchers where we got some chops and pork pies and from the adjoining shop (run by the butcher’s wife) fresh vegetables and fruit. We were amazed, walking along the streets, by the number of people who called out: ‘Good morning’ to us. Some even from the other side of the road. Not something that happens too often in Essex but up here everyone is so friendly. When the butcher’s wife heard that we were just visiting the town she made sure that we had a copy of the Parish Guide so that we could find our way around. In the centre of town there was this wonderful building called Speedwell Castle.

It is believed to have been built by an apothecary with money won upon the Duke of Bolton’s horse “Speedwell.” We also found a small bakers where we got some bread and some filled rolls for lunch. Near the church is the Police Station and a little further on the Church.

After a pleasant morning looking around we returned to the boat and set off. Some of the bridges on this part of the canal are very decorative

and the cottages alongside the canal are beautiful.

This photo was taken at about ten to twelve and it shows the vastness of the countryside around and the clouds that are threatening to come our way.

But, no rain yet! A not so beautiful bit of the canal is the M54 where cars and vans thunder along day and night at about 20 times the speed we can manage.

As we approach Wolverhampton we are welcomed to the Wolverhampton Boat Club and the tempting smell of fish & chips wafts our way – but resolutely, we carry on.

At the junction of the Shropshire Union Canal and the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal there is a stop lock with a rise of about six inches.

After the lock and it’s a left turn towards Great Hayward.

As we poked our nose out into the canal a party of canoeists were negotiating their way across the entrance.

As you can see the canal is quite wide at this point, however, very soon it narrows down to a short stretch with about three passing places.

An appropriate place to have lunch!

There are several established marinas alomg this canal

and the locks have some wonderful buildings alongside them.

We have moored for the night near Penkridge and this is the view from the front of the boat.

We’ve travelled just over 15 miles today and most of the day it was fine weather. Part wasn’t but, hey ho, can’t win ‘em all!