Barrel roofs & split bridges

The day started off with a promising showing from the sun. We didn't have breakfast in the café but we can do that on the way back.

Not far after setting off we came to Shrewley tunnel. Only 433 yds long, opened in 1799. From this angle you can see right through it.

On the other side you can see the path on the right leading up to the horse tunnel. There is no towpath in the tunnel so boats would be 'legged' through and the horses would go over the top.

And here we are making the turn at Kingswood junction to get onto the Stratford canal.

There is an awkward link between the two canals. We want to go straight on under the bridge so that we can head South towards Stratford. The boat ahead has just left the lock which we would have taken if we wanted to head North. Nothing for it but to jiggle the boats around so we both end up pointing the way we want to go.

Made it. Now for a 90° turn left whilst avoiding a hire boat that needed to do what we had done but the other way round.

And now we are on a narrow canal, the locks only able to hold one boat at a time. This makes it easier for us as there is only one gate at each end of the lock. Mind you, some gates are very heavy to move and we have already got stuck a couple of times where they haven't wanted to open fully.

Barrel roofs.

And split bridges. The split in the middle of the bridge meant that the horse did not have to be untied, the tow rope could be slipped through the gap with no time being lost.

Not sure of the reason for the barrel roofs but they are typical of this canal.

E

Joy oh joy, the M40. Just glad we're not on it. Also a very friendly group of walkers on a Sunday afternoon hike. I was going to say 'stroll' but I think they were more serious than that.

Look who's doing all the hard work today. Aye aye captain. (We did swop over for a while)

At Lowsonford there used to be a railway station. The above claims to be the booking office with notices saying 'train delayed'. Not sure how old it really is but I love it all the same.

Have stopped between Lowsonford and Preston Bagot and have just finished off a supper of roast chicken, veg and potatoes. All this followed by stewed apples and blackberries with Greek style yogurt.