On Thursday 11th January 2024:
I went back to Wolverhampton (top marks to West Midlands Railways once again!), and walked the last 2 miles from there to the end of the Birmingham Main Line Canal, at Aldersley Junction, passing some 21 locks along the way! I also saw a Kingfisher, CRT maintenance being done on locks, and some fabulous railway viaducts.
After reaching the canal’s end, I then walked a further mile along the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, as far as Autherley Junction, where the Shropshire Union Canal joins it. The ‘Shroppie’ is one of the best known and most widely used canals on the UK system, and when (eventually!), I get Gladys on the water, I will definitely be exploring this canal.
It was a freezing cold day – so I hope you’ll enjoy the video!
Cheers,
Jeff
By the way, if you do enjoy the video, then please consider subscribing – it really helps me to grow the channel!
You can see more of my videos, including my journeys along the canals, and of my Brompton bike at:
https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCpU5ERG8MwVJN7vRLVvrHMg/content/playlists
8 Comments
That was a nice walk, thank you.
I receive emails from CRT, the latest of which was really informative re the fact they're a charity, responsible for 2,000 miles of rivers & canals which they maintain regularly but major works obviously done in winter when it's quieter plus the huge amount of money they raised from donations to make this winter's work possible. They publish all works in detail & you can sign up for updates.
Re waste bins the old adage 'Take only pictures, leave only footprints' applies to all outdoor areas & as CRT would have to pay for waste removed from the bins it'd be sensible to take your litter home with you & in the case of coffee cups always carry your own reusable one in your bag to refill if you have to buy some. Coffee cups play a large part in littering our country, I litterpick regularly & find them everywhere.
Fingers crossed for Gladys hurrying up!
Very interesting. I originally thought I'd do a day trip today to Alabama to viddy first hand, but wrong Birmingham.
Another interesting video. Hopefully you’ll be boating down it towards us soon.
you should upload videos at 1080p…
Hi Jeff, that's a nice stretch of canal. The towpaths are in great condition and would by great to cycle along, albeit on a warmer day of course. I could feel the cold just watching from my warm living room. As you know I'm not a big fan of graffiti but there was some really good artwork along the way and those frogs were amazing. How long would you say it would take to do all those 21 locks in Gladys and could they all be done in one day? Definitely a good workout, that's for sure. No dodgy individuals on your walk Jeff so that was a good thing, however a few swans would have been nice to see but I imagine they stayed home in the warm 😊 I only just realised you had a Facebook page so I'll be giving that a visit too. Anyway, did you walk back to Wulvrampton to get the train home or did you get an Uber. Take care Jeff, see you on the next video mate 👍
That looked like a very long walk, Jeff! Thanks so much for braving the freezing weather for an interesting canal video 🥶🥶
Hi Jeff, Yes i remember well, not changed much but i might done.
Another interesting vlog of yours and great filming and narrated.
Hope Gladys is getting near launch date? Can't wait to see her.
And we hope the weather picks up soon.
Take care Jeff.
John.
I’m oft accompanied by a rucksack. One of the features I look for in such, are outside pockets. One is invariably kept empty, for the later inclusion of waste, I take my ‘litter’ home and recycle where I can. Also, when walking a particular dog/s, I’ll have plenty of poo bags and and also an extra thick bag. So if I’m not sure of finding a dog waste bin, I bag and double bag, so such waste can be taken with me and not contaminate my rucksack or clothes. Also, said pocket is good for carrying my food packaging, if not in a clip box. And being outside pockets, they’re easy to wipe out or hose off, if a sweet or orange leaks.
The bones of the younger amongst us, still have the unwillingness of becoming cold to come. When the body is warm enough when working. But later at rest, it takes hours to warm through. Only yesterday, I was out hedging in -2-3°C and warm enough to be active in a T-shirt. Come break time, it was on with the fleece but only 10-15mins., I could feel the chill, so it was back to work and off with the fleece. When I got home, my back took hours to warm through, while the rest was toasty within the hour. So yes, old bones in the briskly cold, I know what that’s like.
But at times, one just has to get out and do, just for the hell of it… and a good view helps. Friend of mine on a recent Wednesday, did a circuit of Talybont-Pen y Fan-Brecon-Talybont. His nose & cheeks got properly wind-chilled, but then it was -17°C on the tops. He really suffered the following day while planting trees high above Cwmdu.
The place near Lock 9, appears to be ‘Total Waste Ltd.’, who hire skips. The topographic view shows scrubbers on top of the chimney. From which I take, that the company incinerates quite a bit of what they take in as waste.
A very interesting walk – thank you.