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Tour 2004

Index

4 - Daw End to Dimmingsdale, Daw End Branch, Wyrley and Essington Canal, BCN Main Line and Staffs and Worcs Canal.

Tuesday 23rd March 2004

Neil left solo at 07:30. The rest of the Daw End Branch up to Hopley Bridge rather cruddy, then incredible difference, towpath tided, cut dredged and new 24hr BW key lock in (but security fencing not completed!!!???) just before the Aldridge boatyard. New Hollanders Bridge deck noted, in sympathetic style, now arched, so this once the lowest bridge on the BCN will no longer be a problem. Catshill Junction at 09:05. 
As last year the Brownhills Tesco moorings were much tided up and dredged, the open market was in full swing. Much new housing beyond. Pelsall Junction passed at 09:40. The Wyrley and Essington Canal then began its gradual decline, but we managed to resist a weed hatch trip. Coal Pool Bridge to Pratts Mill Bridge was the worst bit water borne crud wise. 
Birchills Junction passed at 11:30, the duckweed infestation was already returning. Not to bad crud wise until gradual decline after Sneyd Junction (12:05.) Perry Hall Bridge still had an intact trolley reef, but we grinded over and resisted dragging any out. At Horseley Fields Junction a contractors tug and dumb barge train was topped for a cuppa. The 10! bods were not disturbed, as we whiled away the 10 minute stop for the last weed hatch trip. 
Onto Mainline at 14:50, yet another stop at the top at the Wolverhampton 21 as we waited for trip boat to get out of Broad Street depot, as it ground its way passed the BW dredger making new OS moorings above Broad Street bridge. Into Wolverhampton 21 Top Lock at 15:20. Frequent showers, not bad run to bottom for crew of two - 2 hr 10 mins. 
We then turned left at Aldersley Junction to head down Staffs & Worcs, then back onto BCN via Stourbridge Canal, so as to take a look at the Fens Branch. Started off down Staffs & Worcs at 18:00 at dusk and arrived above Dimmingsdale Lock, on the offside Visitor Mooring at 19:45. Chicken glass jar curry on boat, which turned out a disaster!


New bottom pivoting stop gate near Aldridge Wharf Bridge. BCN, Daw End Branch. 


New lock-in visitor moorings being created just before Northywood Bridge. BCN, Daw End Branch. 


New lock-in visitor moorings being created just before Northywood Bridge. BCN, Daw End Branch. 


Aldridge Marina. BCN, Daw End Branch. 


Hollanders Bridge now has a new curvy deck, giving more headroom. BCN, Daw End Branch. 
Click here for picture of how it used to be.


Much improved canal and towpath through Walsall Wood. BCN, Daw End Branch.


Blackcock Bridge, Walsall Wood. BCN, Daw End Branch.


Approaching Brownhills, Clayhanger Bridge in the distance. BCN, Daw End Branch.


Catshill Junction, Brownhills. BCN, Daw End Branch.


Brownhills Tesco visitor Moorings. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


New housing at Brownhills. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


Cooper Bridge. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


Becks Bridge. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


Just before Yorks Foundry Bridge Gilpin's Arm to the Newlands Collieries used to go off, where concrete fencing now is. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


York's Bridge, Pelsall Wood. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


Moody picture of Pelsall Junction, Cannock Extension Canal goes off to the right. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


The Lord Hay's Branch used to go off to the right, before the once towpath bridge. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


The route of the Lord Hay's Branch is easy to see. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


Treece's Bridge, Bloxwich. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


Hollands Bridge, Bloxwich. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


Beside the large demolished factory after Gloscote Works Bridge. Bloxwich. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


Site of old arm into Gloscote Works. Bloxwich. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


Goscote. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


We have just passed through Hildicks Bridge. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


Some of the Goscote ex-council estate houses have succumbed to the yobs! BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


Signs of BW spot dredging at Forest Footbridge. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


Looking back at railway aqueduct. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


Looking back at Pratts Mill Bridge. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


Green Lane Bridge at Birchills Junction. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


Looking back at Birchills Junction, Walsall Canal goes off to right. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


Stokes Bridge. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


Stokes Bridge. More signs of BW spot dredging! BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


BW Sneyd Yard. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


BW Sneyd Yard. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


First lock of the abandoned course of the Wyrley and Essington Canal up to Essington and Wyrley.


Sneyd Junction Bridge. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


M6 Motorway Bridge. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


Beyond the M6 Motorway Bridge the M6 is beside the canal. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


Adam and Eve Bridge, Short Heath. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


Lane Head Bridge. New lock-in visitor moorings on the right. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


Knights Bridge and sign welcoming you to the Holly Bank Basin. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


Pool Hayes Bridge. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


Devils Elbow Bridge. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.

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Moat House Bridge. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


Wards Bridge. Wednesfield. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


Pinfold Bridge. Wednesfield. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


Wednesfield. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


Looking back at the Boat pub at Church Bridge, Wednesfield. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


Rookery Bridge, Wednesfield. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


Wednesfield Junction. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


New development at Wednesfield Junction as obliterated all signs of the Bentley Canal. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


New Cross Turnover Bridge. Wednesfield. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


Heath Town. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


Looking back at the new New Cross Avenue Bridge and New Cross Turnover Bridge. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


Looking back at the "mirror" pipe bridge (you can see the reflection of the towpath!) and the new Wednesfield Way Bridge. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


Railway Bridge. Wolverhampton. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


Looking back at the Railway Bridge. Wolverhampton. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


Old factory arms near Horseley Fields Junction. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


Contractors tea-time! Horseley Fields Junction. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


The contractors ensemble retreats. Horseley Fields Junction. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


Horseley Fields Junction. BCN, Wyrley and Essington Canal.


BCN Mainline - the Wolverhampton Level - into Wolverhampton.


Looking back at Horseley Fields Junction. BCN Mainline - the Wolverhampton Level


BCN Mainline - the Wolverhampton Level - into Wolverhampton.


BCN Mainline - the Wolverhampton Level - into Wolverhampton.


BCN Mainline - the Wolverhampton Level - into Wolverhampton.


Broad Street Bridge and Depot. Community boat is having trouble getting past! BCN, Wolverhampton.


Wolverhampton 21 Top Lock.


Wolverhampton 21 Top Lock.

The Tour Continues...


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