Autherley Junction and the Shropshire Union Canal

Waiting at Autherley Junction as boats leave and enter the Shropshire Union

Joining the Shropshire Union

Signpost at Autherley Junction

 As rain was forecast for this afternoon we wanted to make good progress this morning.  The weather was cooler but pleasant when we set off at 9:25.  The first few miles consisted of a series of extravagent meanders as we approached the outskirts of Wolverhampton in one section travelling 3 miles to achieve a direct distance of 1 mile.  By 12am we had arrived at Autherley Junction where Telford's Shropshire Union Canal joins the earlier Brindley Staffs and Worcs Canal.  There we were held up by dredging works causing a delay in passage through the stop lock built to prevent the later canal stealing the water.  We were third in the queue but once the dedger moved out of the way we were able to pass quickly through the stop lock.

Then onto the mainly straight and deeper Shropshire Union Canal where we had lunch on the move finally mooring up at 13:15 at the excellant Shropshire Union Society moorings a couple of miles south of Brewood when the sky began to look threatening.  We were lucky as within half an hour there was very heavy rain which has continued on and off for much of the afternoon.