Gnosall

Today's Canal - Shropshire Union

Before we set off, Mike took a (very) short walk back to Tyrley top lock to have a further look at the various buildings. 

The main wharf was probably alongside the v-shaped indentation that is today principally a winding hole.

This reference helps a bit to identify the previous uses of the various buildings but we do know that the original lock keeper's cottage is below the top lock. The first building was perhaps built as two cottages with one of them for a wharfinger. However, a number of service businesses developed to support the growing canal traffic.

Tyrley was an overnight stop and stables were available to rest the horses. These have now been adapted into a large single dwelling, whilst the three cottages alongside have also been joined into one. Several of the buildings have had modern extensions.

An explanatory note on the wall gives some of the history. Until now we have not really noticed a smaller plaque - alas probably not as old as it would like to appear!

As soon as we set off we entered another long cutting. The Shroppie has a number of substantial cuttings and embankments - no doubt the spoil from one went to make the other. As trees and shrubs have developed alongside the canal, it is not usually easy to see how high the embankments are, but bridges such as this one make it clear the depth of the cuttings. In many cases, including this one, the bridge is only to maintain access between the fields of a farm that otherwise would have been separated when the canal was constructed.

The canal was built at a time when much less was known about the stability of earthworks and, in order to contain costs, the sides were left as steep as they could manage. Sadly, these are often unable to resist the impact of rain, falling trees and other ways in which the rock and soil is loosened and most years there is a report of a slippage in one or other of the cuttings.

In one or two places we could see, in the distance, The Wrekin.

At Little Soudley a large farm has a range of buildings, not all still used. This one appears to have been a stable block, perhaps again for canal horses.

Although we had kept dry so far this morning, as we neared noon we could see Rain Over The Wrekin. (Try saying it!)

Along quite a stretch a number of these ornamental shrubs have grown up, best seen at this time of the year. Were they a deliberate planting or are they self sown?

Cadburys built a chocolate processing factory at Knighton to utilise the milk production in this area. Much of that milk was loaded in churns onto boats at Tyrley Wharf and brought down to here.

The old factory and wharf have long ceased to be part of the operation but modern factories have been built behind, away from the canal. Pity that they have not fully succeeded in their emissions control.

Just as we were nearing our planned lunch stop at High Offley suddenly the rain arrived in large quantities and Mike was somewhat soaked as he tied up thee boat to mooring rings.

However, rain gradually subsided and by the time we were ready to set off again after an extended lunch break, there was a complete transformation - blue skies and warm sunshine.

One mooring seems to be just for older boats including this converted butty, Ipswich.

Another obligatory photo opportunity. However, as most boating photographers discover, it is hard to find the right light conditions to do justice to the structure and its unusual remaining - disconnected - telegraph post. We have yet to succeed!

At Norbury Junction stopped very briefly just for disposals - we had enough in the water tank to last until tomorrow.

At one of the workshops, a project by the Shrewsbury and Newport Canals Trust restoring an important remaining pair of former working boats. The Trust hopes to see the restoration of the canal that connected here, hence 'junction'.

At Gnosall we aimed to stop for the night (nor sure about mooring for some distance beyond) and so were pleased when we found just one slot of a suitable length to pull into.

11.9 Miles - 0 Locks