Flight closed and all because of £5 worth of steel

After I had sent my blog into the great wide world yesterday a boat we recognised came past and up to the lock. It was the boat with no name that was first on the scene for the boat rescue. Now if I had been observant I would have noticed that scrawled all over its back counter was the name Lady. Anyway just chatting to him he said that he was due to go up the Wolverhampton 21. Ian noticed when we came past there yesterday that red and white gaffer tape was all over the first lock. Not really taking that much notice it came as no shock when the chap told us the flight was closed. He had stopped on the lock landing, had a look on waterscape to see what it was all about and when he could find no mention of a stoppage phoned a friend of his that works for C&RT in this area. Thats when he was told that at lock 9 the gate had fallen off!!! Someone had nicked the collar holding the gate on. How they had got the collar off in the first place must have taken some thought. So for a repair that will no doubt cost C&RT, and ultimately us the licence payers, £1000's and all because that bit of steel might earn them a fiver! Anyway if anyone is thinking of traveling up or down the flight forget it. Could be next Friday before it's opened again!

It was too nice a day to move on and with a nature reserve right on the doorstep I persuaded Ian to join me for a walk.

This place is vast.  Lots of natural meadows, wooded areas and it even hosts a small pond.

Loads of water boatman

Tettenhall railway (disused)

Not often you get a view from a railway bridge

Railway cutting

Found a lovely stream for Jade to paddle in. She couldn't wait to get down to it.

Now all she has to do is clamber up
 

After a couple of hours we returned to FS. Moored behind us was this hire boat and stretched right across the towpath was their rope. Not a soul nearby other then the lady standing at the front. We called out to her and asked very nicely for her to remove it. Lots of hand gestures later and we realised she didn't understand English. Her husband returned from the lock side and thankfully he did understand us.Turned out they were from Belgium and hadn't realised what a danger the rope posed. After putting them right and helping them through their first ever lock, they went on their way slightly wiser then when they arrived.

 

We will move on tomorrow but only to wind and head back to Penkridge. Hope today isn't quite as hot as today.