Today was generally very grey but it was not until mid afternoon before any rain arrived and then it was only very light until after we had moored for the night. However, the combination of poor light and being in cuttings of embankments lined with large trees meant that the camera struggled to to take usable photos!
Before we set off Mike walked a short distance along the towpath - he discovered that what he had previously thought to be an aqueduct over a small brook was actually over a track from the nearby farm to its more distance fields.
The brook was crossed by an aqueduct that is an altogether much less significant feature!
The towpath remained on our right hand side from the start at Autherley but now crossed over to the
opposite bank via this elaborate turnover bridge.
Just after passing under Castle Cutting Bridge we spotted this distinctive mound but could not decide what it was. Later inspection of old OS maps did not give us any explanation but it only appeared on the 1902 map and not the earlier one so it seems that it is not prehistoric.
Cowley Tunnel is only 74 metres long - it was originally planned to be much longer but the engineers at the time found it better to open out the roof and construct a deep cutting for most of its length. Nevertheless, it does show how substantial the challenges were that the builders had to face.
The houses that are alongside the canal at Gnosall are generally well kept and some have elaborate decorations. None, however, come anywhere near to the kitsch of this one!
A hire day bit out from Norbury Junction came bearing down, decorated with 60th birthday balloons. The family were celebrating with the lady nearest the camera.
Many of the long embankments were built with stop gates at each end so that they cold be isolated in the event that there was a breach of the canal. This would prevent much of the potential loss of water and destruction to the land below - the pounds here are very long and could discharge a huge volume of water. During WW2 they were kept closed at night as a precaution against bomb damage.
Just before Norbury Junction we spotted these strange structures in woodland close to the canal. We later discovered that they are part of the Birmingham Institute of Forest Research and form its FACE (Free-Air Carbon Dioxide Enrichment). The idea is to pump additional carbon dioxide over the trees inside the ring of towers so that the scientists can compare the effect with the non treated trees in the rest of the forest. More details here.
We stopped at the services at Norbury just long enough to fill and empty but after setting off we very soon saw Mal Edwards, Fender Maker (and also singer). We had been thinking about an extra stern fender to protect the rudder when the boat is pulled backwards by the water when descending narrow locks. He had just the thing and helped us to fit it - fortunately we happened to have the right size shackles in one of our lockers.
We were pleased to note that much of the banks alongside the canal for some distance have seen significant vegetation management in the last year. Not only does this keep the navigation clear but also should maker it easier to protect the integrity of the steep cutting sides. When the canal was built, to contain costs, they removed as little material as possible with the result that the slopes are a but too steep for the grade of material an ever since they have been liable to landslips.
Not sure why this magnificent vehicle lives out here in the woodlands.
A little later we passed the historic narrowboat Whitby. Built in 1937 to work on the Gran Union, according to the Historic Narrow Boat Club, it has had a variety of subsequent careers.
The section of off side bank looks as if it will need attention at some stage, with large gaps in the structure.
Nearby it seems that some time ago the bank had to be strengthened.
On the towpath side a new technique had been tried in order to protect the towpath from material that does slide down.
With the embankments so deep, bridges that provide access across the canal can be quite spectacular.
This tiny, but perfectly formed, narrow boat seems to be a regular sight is this area.
Eventually a long level cruise came to an end at the top of the five locks at Tyrley. At one time there was a busy set of canal related facilities alongside the canal but these have all now been converted into homes. This one is currently for sale - with three beds but a unique location, the agent is asking for offers in the region of £390K. But it does come with its own mooring in the winding hole!
The five locks took us down to the Market Drayton level - there was plenty of water coming down the overflows. A short time later we were approaching the town where we moored for the night. Christine walked into town to pick up a paper -it was a little further than she had remembered! At least ASDA had one left.
18.1 Miles - 5 Locks
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