Tranquil Waters

On Sunday morning a hard frost covered the roof in ice and fog obscured our view.  Time to retrieve the winter woollies from the vacuum bags.  During the day 6 locks took us up 54 feet to approximately 340 feet above sea level.   The next locks will be on the Shropshire Union which take us back down so this is the highest point on our journey to Chester.  

At Gailey Lock a round house made an interesting scene for a pencil drawing.   

As we reached the outskirts of Wolverhampton the canal cuts through red sandstone and narrows to just one boat width with passing places.  Luckily we don't need to use the passing places.

Narrow channel is just wide enough for one boat

Shortly after emerging from the narrows we reached Autherley Junction and turned onto the Shropshire Union canal, signposted Chester. 

The Shropshire Union flows tranquilly through woods, farmland and the occasional village.  During the week we travelled along the bottom of steep sided cuts spanned by tall elegant bridges and on top of high embankments overlooking the countryside.  The height of the canal remains at the same level so there are very few locks but there is a tunnel.  Cowley Tunnel, at 81 yards long, is our first tunnel.   We had a spot lamp ready but it was surplus to requirements, the tunnel was straight and we could see clearly through to the other end. 

The northern entrance to Cowley Tunnel

At Gnosall (pronounced knows all) we moored up to catch up with some chores, even in this idyllic lifestyle the oven needs cleaning.  We enjoyed a meal at the Chinese Evening in the Boat Inn and bought supplies at the village shops.  The friendly butcher spotted Bess waiting outside with Kev and gave me a sausage roll for her!

Our route from Penkridge to Gnosall - a shorter distance as the crow flies!