Cycling the canal towpaths

Cycling on the Stourbridge and Dudley No.1 Canal towpath

I had a free afternoon and the weather was good so I went for a ride from home using the Stourbridge canal towpath.
We live in what was a very industrial area, which still has engineering and casting works doing their noisy business along the canal sides. However, there is also a wide tree lined corridor including the towpath, which insulates the canal area from noise from the roads, and gives the impression of being in lovely green countryside. This picture shows the contrast:
industry-v-countryside-17aug2016

A little further up towards Black Delph a view is obtained towards Brierley Hill, and the flats can be seen towering above the canal:
view-to-bhill-17aug2016

Further on again the canal passes by the Merry Hill shopping centre and then passes by the “Waterfront” which has mooring for narrow boats and beers on hand. As I was passing this narrow boat on my return I noticed that they had a “waterways pastors” notice in the window, and I stopped and had a chat. People are very friendly both on the canal and the towpath, everyone speaks as they pass, exchanging a smile.
passing-merry-hill-17aug2016

On my way back I noticed this tree, the roots of which have damage the wall adjacent to the Brettell Lane Bridge. I thought it told a story, with the old industrial blue engineering type bricks, the age of the tree and the unexpected consequences of its growth, together with the modern graffiti made quite a picture:
tree-root-damage-17aug2016

Just past this point there are some very modern houses in Brythill Drive which are just opposite industrial units, but again, there is a lovely country feel to the area, even though we are on the edge of a conurbation. It really is very pleasing to cycle this route.
houses-brythill-drive-17aug2016

On the way back home I couldn’t resist the opportunity of a pint of ale from the Samson and Lion which backs onto the canal.
That made my outing complete!

The Blackcountry Man canal boat.

tripcanal220716This evening we enjoyed an evening cruise withcanaltrip3220716 musical entertainment and a fish and chip supper on the Blackcountry Man canal boat .

 

canaltrip2220716We left the Bonded Warehouse at Stourbridge and canaltrip4220716cruised to the junction, then headed towards Stourton.

 

canaltrip6220716With lovely views over the countryside.canaltrip5220716

 

 

canaltrip7220716The sun was filtering through the trees adding canaltrip8220716atmosphere.

 

 

canaltrip11220716The fish and chips, just happened to be from our favourite shop in Wollaston.

 

canaltrip10220716As dusk fell the boat was slowly turned round we canaltrip9220716headed back.

 

 

 

Forest of Dean

Last week we visited our friends in the Forest of Dean for the day, after coffee at their home, we had lunch at the Fountain Inn Parkend.

We had a drive through the forest, I noted a family of wild boar rooting in the woodland.

Lydneyharbour6090616First stop was Lydney Harbour.Lydneyharbour3090616

 

 

 

Overlooking the river Severn, which is tidal at this point.Lydneyharbour4090616

 

 

Lydneyharbour1090616We walked towards the town along, what used to be the railway line, which brought locally mined coal from the forest to be transported along the river. The industrial heartland of England can still be Lydneyharbour2090616accessed by the river and series of canals.

 

 

On to Symonds Yat rock, the view over the Wye valley here has always been a favourite of ours.ForestofDean3

 

 

 

ForestofDean2

This cliff is home to a number of birds, including a peregrine falcon adult brooding a nest.

 

 

 

 

ForestofDeanHeading back to our friends home for coffee and dessert, a lovely day out.