After yesterday a relatively trouble free day. The weather improved, with only minor spells of drizzle and even some sunny moments. The passage through Netherton Tunnel passed without incident. At the other side is start of the Dudley No.2 canal and TheWindmill End Junction to Hawne Basin on one side and the Bumble Hole or Netherton Park recreation area on the other.
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| Working boats at Withmoor Island. |
Just past the park is Withmoor Island, where we saw two working boats moored up. After this the canal winds its way round to the Park Head Junction where it joins the Dudley No. 1 Canal. At the canal side there is a series of metal sculptures depicting canalside life in the 19th century.
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| Depiction of a cooper |
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| A shepherd? overlooking the canal. |
Even the mile markers are in the same style, and in one case a local car company has used the same style to advertise itself.
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| A 'mile' marker (-> 2 mile Blowers Green; <- 1/2 mile Bumble hole) |
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| Advertisment for car company. |
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| Depiction of Lloyds Proving House steam crane. |
The steam crane in the picture above was used to lift chains on to wagons once their strength had been tested.
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| Brewins Tunnel explanation. |
Although not the same series of sculptures the above is used to explain why what is now a cutting is called Brewins tunnel. The tunnel was opened out in 1858 "..saving the leggers a tiresome job" as the caption says.
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| Sculpture marking the end of the Dudley No.2 canal. |
The last scupture is by Blowers Green Pump Hose and marks the end of the Dudley No.2 canal.
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| Eos descending the Blowers Green lock. |
The second part of the days cruise was down the lock at Blowers Green Pump House and then on to the Waterfront, which overlooks the Merryhill (or as some people call it Merryhell) shopping centre.
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| Merryhill(hell) shopping centre. |
Fortunately the view coming into the Waterfront is much more to my liking.
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| Brewers Wharf, The Waterfront Brierley Hill |
The moorings at the Waterfront are modern and provide plenty of room. There are plenty of office blocks surrounding the waterfront, but because of the recession many of them are empty, which means the area is also very quiet.
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| Empty? office blocks at The Waterfront. |
There are two pubs on the quayside a Wetherspoons and The Brewers Wharf, both do meals. We had a pint in the Brewers Wharf, but were not tempted to stay for a second. Instead we moved on to the Vine, sometimes know as the Bull & Bladder and less frequently as The Delph. The home of Bathams bitter, a pub not to be missed, just five minutes walk from The Waterfront.
