Swindon to Kinver via Stewpony.

    

Greenforge Lock                         Devils Den/boat house?

This is one of the many delightful circular weirs to be found beside the locks on the Staffordshire+Worcestershire Canal.

On Friday night we moored above Marsh lock just short of Swindon Village where there were four useful shops. During the construction of the canal the red sandstone rock had to be cut into in many palaces providing much interest and puzzlement along the way.

Exiting Rocky Lock

This stretch of the canal runs through one of the most beautiful, peaceful valleys with high tree clad sandstone banks. We enjoyed the days cruise very much and it was also popular with walkers, joggers and cyclists.

Hovering above Gothersley Lock waiting to enter.

We passed the junction leading up to Birmingham and Stourbridge and moored by Stewponey Wharf overnight.

The little octagonal Toll House, canal cottages and old stables stand along the wharf overlooking the lock. Through the trees we could see Stourton Hall, so we walked up the road to find that the entrance to it was guarded by a sweet little octagonal castellated Gatehouse.

 

We set off on a cold and frosty Sunday morning down the lock and to our surprise Peter popped up to help us. He was locking  Renfrew through from Droitwich back up to Braunston and appeared to be eating breakfast on the hoof!

Through the short Dunsley Tunnel and past the cottage beside Hyde Lock with its interesting lock-gateway and ground paddle feature.

Nearing Kinver the going was very slow as there were many moored boats and a fishing match in progress too. Bottle has now kindly passed his cold on to me and I am sneezing non-stop, luvly jubbly!