Cold but dry as we head south

Friday 4^th September; Moat House bridge to between Mops Farm bridge and Dimmingsdale

It rained overnight, but although overcast and chilly to start with it stayed dry today.  We were away before 9, with Dave walking Jess on the towpath – which was a pity for me because I was getting cold in the headwind!  We didn’t see a single boat on the move till we were nearly at Autherley junction, so we had no trouble getting through the Pendeford narrows.

The walls are closing in….

No-one behind us either

All quiet again once we had paused at the junction to dispose of rubbish.

That way to Chester

On we went towards Aldersley junction under the huge variety of bridges between the two junctions.

Five bridges here - 2 railway, 2 footpath and a pipe, and a pipe bridge behind my head

Wolverhampton bottom lock at Aldersley junction – those bottom gates may be open but the flight has been closed since July 20^th

We carried on past the watersports centre, all quiet now the schools are back, and towards Compton for a lunch stop.  Once moored up in Compton I made a quick trip to the Sainsbury’s local for some things for lunch, and then we carried on to get down the two Wightwick locks and back out in the countryside.  We enjoyed our visit to Wightwick Manor a few years ago but didn't want to stop again.

Wightwick Mill lock

We moored between Mops Farm bridge and Dimmingsdale bridge, finding a sheltered spot out of the strong wind.  The sky cleared for some late sunshine but it stayed quite cool.

10 miles, 3 locks