Walsall

Half way down the flight

Thank goodness the rain has stopped today. The first boat left the site at 5.30am. I know that because it woke me up!!!! After that it seemed to create a mass exodus with boats going in all directions. We left before 9 am and instead of continuing on the Curly Wurly ( Wyrley & Essington Canal ) toward the Wolverhampton 21 and onto the Staffs and Worcs, we went left onto the Walsell Canal and the Walsell flight of 8 and then left again to Walsall Town Arm. There was no one at the Walsall locks apart our Erewash mob so we sailed down them in record time. If I have one complaint and that's the so called facility block at the top of the flight. Nothing wrong with the elsan or rubbish bins but the water tap is directly opposite the lock which means that you have to have a hose of phenomenal length or at least have two to connect together. I don't think BW has thought this one out at all. Off course we could stay in the lock to fill our tank and hold everyone up, but that is not in our nature. So we will wait until we get to Ocker Hill to fill up.

Boat on the left is on the facility moorings. You can just make out how far the water tap is.



Walsall Town Arm

 The moorings couldn't be better for the town centre. All the main shops are here as well as the outdoor market. But beware. There is a pub/ nightclub overlooking the basin. Lots of camera's look down on us so we are pretty sure we wont get any local youth problems, but the NOISE!!!!! is something else. Although a great place to visit during the day I would recommend that one moves on for a quiet mooring overnight.