Cuttings and embankments

Saturday 27^th April; Gnosall to Black Flat bridge no 47

It was cold and overcast this morning.  We set off about 10, went through the rocky Cowley tunnel and stopped in Gnosall for the paper and some milk. 

Vertical ferns by Cowley tunnel

Then we moved on to top up the water while I grabbed a quick shower.  There are some interesting gardens fronting the canal in Gnosall.  I liked this one -

Gnomesall

But not this.  I found it creepy, especially the baby ‘climbing’ up the pole.

Definitely not Charity Dock

We went on to Norbury Junction, where we stopped for lunch, before walking round to the boatyard to dispose of rubbish and buy a sack of kindling.  And a Magnum.

I’d rather have a cup of tea in this weather

We cruised on into Grub Street cutting, where I took the obligatory photo of High Bridge –

Then into the woods where another photo has to be taken, of the Rolls (if that is what it is) under the trees

Then there is a long stretch with boats moored on the offside, where NB Percy is moored, but nobody was in.

NB Percy

Across the Shebdon Embankment, mostly sheltered by trees, and past the old Cadbury wharf at Knighton.

Knighton Wharf

The notice that explains its former purpose is showing its age and could do with a repaint.  But the surrounding area has works and units which are clearly still operational.

We moored after bridge 47, Black Flat bridge, where there are rings.  It was cold, but not late.  Before he came in, Dave had a lock at the Morse control which hadn’t been operating properly, needing to be pushed to the limit of its travel to get power in both forward and reverse.  I’d sort of noticed this when I steered for a while this afternoon but hadn’t realised the significance.  Had the throttle cable come loose?  It had only been replaced last year.  He checked the connections at each end, then realised that the red button which you push in to disengage drive when you start the engine was pushed half in.  How that happened we are not sure – either of us could have accidentally leant on it, and so could Jess.  Most likely to have been  me, faffing around to correct a steering error.  Well after 6, when we were tucked up warm inside, a man came along with a boat-hook – he had clearly been checking the depth for mooring.  Unsurprisingly his boat pulled in in front of us.  The crew looked frozen.  There is a little bit of the Shroppie Shelf here, but once you stop moving around inside there is no bumping.

8 miles, Cowley tunnel, Shelmore and Shebdon embankments, Grub Street Cutting.