Birmingham to Wednesfield and Wednesfield to Pelsall Junction

 Friday 6th May

It was another sunny morning when we set off just after 8.00 – a slightly earlier start because we had several miles to do today, though only 3 locks.

We left Birmingham, going through Winson Green and taking the New Main Line to Smethwick and Dudley Port and then up the 3 Factory Locks to Tipton.

Galton Bridge, Smethwick

At Horsley Fields Junction we turned onto the Wyrley and Essington Canal – the Curly Wyrley which follows the same contour line for miles. The water in this little-used canal is very clear and the wildlife is undisturbed. We saw swans sitting on nests, a few Canada goose families and we lost count of the coot families. On the other hand, there were not many ducks, no ducklings and although there were some moorhens, they were lone adults rather than pairs with chicks.

At 1.15 we arrived in Wednesfield and moored in what remains of the Bentley Canal, a short arm by a retail park and a pub. This is where we were due to meet up with the other boats doing the Explorer Cruise. 2 or 3 had already arrived and others arrived during the afternoon until we had the full complement of 10 boats.

After a late lunch, we wandered through the retail park, found Sainsbury’s (milk and chocolate) and returned to the boat. The weather began to change and it soon started to rain which continued throughout the evening.

In the early evening there was a meeting in the pub for everyone – a welcome chat and a short informative talk on Wednesfield’s history. After our evening meal we went to the nearby cinema to see the Downton Abbey film – very enjoyable if slightly silly, you get the feeling that several fine actors are just having fun!

Today’s miles and locks – 14.25 miles  3 locks

Total miles and locks – 53.25 miles  55 locks

Saturday 8^th May

Another warm sunny day after yesterday evening’s rain. We had a leisurely start this morning as we were surrounded by other boats in the arm and had to wait for the boat behind us to leave first.

Chyandour is top right

We continued along the Curly Wyrley which has a surprisingly rural feel given that it travels mainly through built-up areas. 

We had been warned that frequent visits down the weed hatch might be necessary. As it turned out, Steve only had to do this twice – and it wasn’t weed that was the problem, but plastic bags caught round the propeller.

There were lots more coot families, a couple of sitting swans and (at last) a brood of ducklings. Plus a glimpse of a swallow – our first this year. We stayed on the Curly Wyrley at Birchills Junction through Little Bloxwich to Pelsall Junction where we were due to moor, but first we ventured along the Cannock Extension, about a mile and a half of navigable canal which doesn’t go anywhere! 

We turned round at the end and went back to the main canal where we moored along with the other boats of our party.

Some of the others set up a gazebo and had a BBQ, and we joined them for a chat and a drink later in the evening. 

Today’s miles and locks – 13.50 miles  0 locks

Total miles and locks – 66.75 miles  55 locks