A New Coffee Shop in Wombourne.

Monday 5th June, 2017 at Swindon, Staffordshire.
Waterproofs on! Our mooring was close to a cricket pitch that we remembered well. In 2013, we had moored up opposite it to do a wash and watch a cricket match taking place in the sunshine. We were amused when a ball hit for six landed in the canal and we retrieved it and threw it back on to the pitch. We were not so amused when another six sent a ball close over the top of MM and into the hedge. Fearing our windows being broken, we cast off and sailed a few hundred yards up the canal to a safer mooring (with the washing still on the line!). M had made a note in the guide book which read "Beware balls".  No comment!

No such dangers today as rain had clearly stopped any thought of play!
We had set off fairly early in the hopes that there would not be a queue at Bratch locks, which were a few hundred yards round the corner from our overnight mooring. Bratch Locks are very unusual as there are three locks with only a few feet between each lock, so they are not a true staircase but they only have a ten foot "pound" between each lock. Their secret lies in large side ponds that stretch out to one side and act as the pounds between each lock. They are extremely handsome locks, with their immaculate stonework and block paving, and they are very well cared for by the C&RT.

Luckily there are usually volunteers to help you through and to make sure that you open and close the paddles in the right sequence. Today was no exception and two volunteers helped us through the flight of locks in short order with some help from M.
Immediately after the locks, we moored up and walked into nearby Wombourne to buy milk. We walked along the old railway track and, as we had walked this way before, we knew that the old railway station is now a café, but unfortunately it is closed on Mondays.

We walked on over the old bridge, which has recently been painted and looked very smart.

Beyond the bridge, the path of the line went into a deep cutting with trees growing on either side, making a delightful green tunnel.

Eventually we were able to climb out of the deep sandstone cutting and walk into the centre of town where, to our delight, we found a new coffee shop next to the Co-op.

We were warmly welcomed and enjoyed excellent coffee, cake (R) and a sausage sandwich (M).

The facilities were unusual. Being very compact, the wash basin was part of the cistern, making the best use of very limited space. Perfect for narrowboats?

Thereafter, we continued through occasional showers on to Swindon (Staffordshire not Wiltshire), where we moored up for the day. The last lock was Bumblehole - what a delightful name.

We managed to moor up just before the really heavy rain descended, so we turned up the heating and battened down the hatches for the night.
Today: 3 miles, 8 locks and 3.2 hours.
Trip: 39 miles, 29 locks and 21.3 hours.