Longwood Junction

Here I am Rune

Distance 5.5 miles

Total 757 Locks 28 Tunnels

Running total mileage 1151.2 miles

And in accordance with our cunning plan we have reached Longwood Junction, the question that now arises is whether there is sufficient depth of water below locks 1 and 2 to enable us to get to Rushall Junction. According to the CRT website they have lowered the water level in the pound between locks 2 and 3 by 150mm/15cm or in old money about 6 inches. The depth so far from Catshill Junction has been a little challenging in places so whether we could sustain the loss of another 6 inches of depth is open to question, we shall have to assess it tomorrow and make a decision (my decision would be to at least give it a try since otherwise we will have to go back and around through Walsall Canal.

Today’s cruise is what winter cruising should be all about, clear blue sky and sunshine, although the sun was in my eyes for quite a lot of the way so I couldn’t really see where I was going. This bit of canal does twist and turn quite a lot and there were two bridges today that we were too long to take in one move, the first one we stopped and reversed but the second one we took a glancing blow on. The dumped supermarket trollies in the canal are becoming a bit tiresome and I can’t really see the attraction for the yobs who throw them in, one splash and that is the end of the excitement! If they want to see a boat get caught on them, at this time of year they may have to wait for two to three days to see a passing boat, the last time we met a moving boat was 10 days ago when we met a CRT boat over towards Wednesfield.

Haven’t decided what the plan is for tomorrow yet, whether we stay here or try to get through the locks, we’ll see.