On To Wightwick Manor.

 Tuesday 26th September 2023 at Wightwick Manor.

Our original plan for the week was to take the two boats to Wightwick Manor, a beautiful Arts & Crafts and Pre-Raphaelite house near Wolverhampton. Despite the delays over the weekend, we decided to do a fairly long day and go to Wightwick Manor anyway. MM set off first because M wanted to do some shopping in Autherley.

On the way we passed over the narrow A5 or Watling Street Aqueduct.

We always enjoy looking down on the very straight Roman road below. Not too much traffic today.

This is a canal of contrasts, it is either on an embankment overlooking the countryside or in a deep cutting with trees making an arch above our heads. The trees above are always beautiful in the dappled sunshine.

This is a very ornate bridge that carries a wide avenue towards Chillington Hall, the home of the Giffard family since the 12th century. Ornate bridges like this were often a requirement on the part of wealthy landowners in return for allowing the canal to cross their large estates.

Just short of Autherley Junction, we moored up to go to Morrisons for a "few bits". On the way we passed this public gym equipment in an otherwise uninspiring park on the edge of a housing development. Clearly not much used. Perhaps it would have seen better use in the middle of the development rather than tucked away almost out of sight in a corner. Otherwise, a great idea.

We stopped off at Autherley Junction to see our friends Peter and Annie but sadly it was their day off, We'll try again tomorrow on the way back!.

At the junction, we went through the stop lock and turned south on to the Staffs & Worcs Canal.

Just to the south is Aldersley Junction where the Birmingham Canal climbs through the 21 Wolverhampton Locks. We have been to the top of the locks, and to the bottom, and we have walked much of the locks but never actually done the flight on MM; the last time we tried, the locks were closed for repair for months. One day, perhaps!

At Wightwick Manor, we turned both boats between the two Wightwick locks and moored up for the night. Tomorrow we'll visit the house, just a short walk away.  We joined Jenni on Rufford before dinner for a lovely glass of red wine and some fruit cake!

Today: 11 miles, 4 locks and 4.5 hours.

Trip: 284 miles, 120 locks and 152.4 hours.