Saturday 27 August 2011

Stourbridge, gateway to nowhere

Yesterday we spent our time dodging the worst of the rain and managed to complete our journey to Stourbridge.

The weather, as usual couldn't make up it's mind whether to be fine or not but we stayed mainly dry. The last couple of miles were a little a bit dodgy as a radiator hose split causing us to lose water and so the engine temperature was a bit high. We managed to make it to the moorings in Stourbridge then Ray had to spend this morning searching for a appropriate bit of hose. None of the garage service places had any but a very kind mechanic at Nationwide Tyres said he had some at home which he offered to bring to the boat for us. There are some very nice people around! He dropped it off a little while ago and Ray is now fitting it.

Stourbridge is uninspiring, there are some nice bits of architecture but the overall impression is one of a place that had seen better days. Lots of derelict factories or warehouses and boarded up pubs and shops, and, no, they didn't have a riot here!

Tomorrow is the Bead Fair at the Bonded Warehouse where we will both spend too much money, me on beads and Ray on stuff for his glass bead making. Although after me having had a go at glass bead making while we were at Barry and Alex's place I suppose that is for both of us.

Monday will, hopefully, see us braving our way up the Stourbridge and Dudley flights, 25 locks, ready to run the gauntlet of Birmingham on Tuesday. After that we will be heading for Stratford-on-Avon.


Yesterday's journey 5.4 miles and 6 locks

So far this year we have travelled 290.9 miles, 203 locks, 31 lift bridges and 7 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1026.6 miles, 848 locks, 55 swing bridges, 35 lift bridges and 32 tunnels

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