Wednesday morning we completed our time on the Shroppie (Shropshire Union) turning onto the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal at Authereley Junction and turning right towards Stourport.

Autherley Junction

Fingerpost at Autherley Junction

We have now left the pretty and rural aspect of the Shroppie and are back onto the more industrial heritage of the canal system.

Railway bridges between Autherley Junction and Aldersley Junction

On Wednesday evening we moored at the top of Bratch Locks ready to descend in the morning.  Not our best mooring to date as later in the afternoon some fishermen arrived and it became clear that we had moored in the middle of a fishing match.  Not great!! Also we were opposite what I think may have been a greyhound rescue .  All good except that the dogs barked for much of the evening and night.

One of the features of this canal is the circular weirs at the locks

Thursday morning nice and early we went along to the top of Bratch Locks ready to go down.  Bratch Locks are unusual in that there are very short pound (not a boat length) between the pounds.  The system works using side pounds so the locks have to be operated in proper sequence.  A bit like Foxton, but not actually a staircase.

 Octagonal Toll Office at the top of Bratch Locks

Waiting to go down Bratch Locks

 Going down Bratch Locks

Bottom of Bratch Locks

We were aiming to moor up at Kinver on Thursday evening but it was so hot that we stopped at lunchtime and didn't quite make it.  Found a good mooring if a bit busy with cyclists along the towpath.  Fairly peaceful though and at least no dogs barking all night.

Friday morning we set out hoping to make it as far as Caunsell, not very far really.  Another hot day but almost got to Caunsell.  May need to get up early tomorrow and push on as we need to make it to Stourport tomorrow.  Mainly because there is limited good mooring between here and Stourport.  At Stourport we get onto the River Severn, lets hope it doesn't rain!! Heading for Gloucester.  Graham has sorted out the anchor and the VHF radio which had all been packed away.