Into the Dudley Caverns

I think we got away quite lightly here in the Midlands. Watching storm Ali's devastation over Northern Ireland and Scotland on the news this morning, we can't really complain about the torrential rain we had overnight. But storm Bronagh is due to hit the Midlands tonight with gusts of 60 mph so as a precaution we cleared anything loose from the roof.

Two boats left this morning but not before spilling diesel from cans while filling their tanks. The air was thick with the smell!

With today's rain continuing on and off throughout the morning I set too and cleaned FS. She certainly needed it as I hadn't laid duster to shelves or mop to floor for nearly 2 weeks! Shame on me!!! By 2pm the rain was still with us although easing somewhat and on the todo list for today was to take a boat a trip into the caverns of Dudley tunnel.  At about 3,172 yards (1.8 miles) long, it is now the second longest canal tunnel on the UK canal network today. Standedge Tunnel is the longest, at 5,456 yards (3.1 miles). Private boats can go through so long as the height of the boat is below the gauge measure. We certainly couldn't take FS through even with the removal of our top boxes. The trip on the Dudley narrow boats only does a fraction of the tunnel length but a fascinating trip none the less. Limestone caverns, light show and audio-visual show all made this a very pleasant way to spend 45 minutes, even though it was very wet in places, and we were also asked if anybody would like to have a go at 'legging.' Us and the only other couple on the trip declined rather rapidly!

We want to walk to Tipton festival site tomorrow, storm permitting, to buy a few things and then hope to leave for Birmingham. Whether we get a mooring depends on boats staying to sit out the weather. Jo (Hadar) told of full moorings when they were there a few days ago. We keep all fingers crossed for a space.