The Cannock Extension

We had a lazy weekend on the Anglesey Branch, it was such a nice spot to moor.

The view at Anglesey Wharf

We thought about moving on yesterday but it was very windy so we stayed put. We were quite surprised when a hire boat came past us yesterday,it is the only moving boat we have seen in four days! I did use the time well and have completed another rag rug.

Rag Rug 2, made from curtain material

By doing that we left ourselves a bit short of time to get through Perry Barr locks before they dewater the pound between 7 & 8 for investigation on Tuesday and Wednesday so we have backtracked to take a look at the Cannock Extension. It's only a mile and a half long, in the days before so many of the canals were closed it connected via the Hatherton Canal to the Staffs and Worcester at Hatherton Junction. It is currently being restored by  Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust,as is the Lichfield Canal which used to stretch between the Anglesey Branch  at Ogley Junction and Huddlesford on the Coventry Canal. Both have had some work done on them but there is so much to be done I doubt if I will ever cruise them!

Ogley Junction

The Cannock Extension is dead straight,as well as linking to the Hatherton Canal it used to serve the Brownhills Colliery and the old colliery basin now provides some private moorings. As it was starting to rain we did an about turn and have moored about halfway along for the night. We were rewarded with a beautiful rainbow.

Our rainbow

We now have a couple of days to travel at most 11 miles and 9 locks,so we will see what the weather brings. We haven't decided whether to do both Rushall (the nine locks) and Perry Barr flights on the same day.It's quite a lot of work but from the top of Rushall  it is all through built up areas so probably not the best of moorings.

Today's journey 6 miles

So far this year we have travelled 668.3 miles, 534 locks, 49 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 26 tunnels

In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1870 miles 1620 locks, 105 swing bridges, 61 lift bridges and 66 tunnels