Cut and fill thrill.

It had started raining about 0430 and continued until about 1200. We had already decided to stay put until it stopped and we would then be able to catch up with the Archers Omnibus. The highlight of our week!! We set out just before 1200 and we didn't get wet at all, well a little spitting but no need for a coat.

We were soon approaching Knighton and passing through a short cutting, You can see two bridges Knighton Bridge, Newport Road bridge and the works canopy. Somebody, probably the Friends of the SU Canal, have been out and about and painted all the bridge abutment tow rope protectors.

I think the Cadbury's Depot at Knighton opened in 1911 to be the base of the collection of milk from the area. Later cocoa and sugar were brought from Bournville to mix with the milk to make chocolate crumb and then sent back to Bourneville, all by canal. The last chocolate related cargo was in 1961. The factory survived and in 1963 spray drying equipment was installed and the production of Marvel powdered skimmed milk commenced. Birds Custard, Smash instant potato, Angle Delight and coffee were all made here at one time. These days custard powder is made for manufacturers along with cheesecake mix, instant Chai, hot chocolate powder, sprinkles and instant Frappe powder. Knighton Foods is wholly owned by Premier Foods.

Shebdon Embankment is well above the surrounding countryside, but despite the windy conditions the trees made it a nice crossing. There was a breach on the embankment in August 2009. The canal was closed until the end of October that year.

At the southern end of the embankment is Shebdon Wharf that now is home to Bethsaida Covers who will do repairs whilst you wait. On the other side of the canal below the level of the canal is the Wharf Inn.

 

From there is reminded me of Golden Nook moorings further up the Shropshire Union towards Chester, seemingly miles of offside moorings that keeps you at tick over. A hire boat didn't find it so easy in an exposed spot and seemed to be rubbing along the length of each boat as he passed. I did tell him to use more speed.

The cuttings and embankments seem to be fitted with stop gates just in case there is a breach along their lengths. They don't seem to be maintained so maybe they would just rely on more modern stop planks.

The tower of the St Mary's at High Offley has been seen across the area since the 15th Century and is a good landmark.

The Anchor In is a well known watering hole since it was built with the canal about 1830. It used to be known as Lily Pascall's and has been run by the Cliff family for over 100 years. There were no hand pumps last time I visited, it was drawn from the barrel in the sitting room behind the little bars at the front. Pretty unchanged since it was built I would think.

I thought I was witnessing a high speed crash as we were entering Grub Street Cutting. I thought it was a 70' higher boat from Norbury Wharf that seemed to be disappearing into the trees, but it turned out that it was the trip boat and was getting into the winding hole to return. Here they are passing under bridge 40 in the cutting

The next bridge is the famous one due to the telegraph pole with insulators still being there. The cross piece that it sits on was added as the two sides of the abutments were being pressed together. If you look at the previous picture it looks like that is suffering the same fate.

This is the Junction of Norbury Junction and was where the Shrewsbury and Newport Canals were accessed from the main system. A large system of tub canals had been built in the area that connected down to Coalbrookdale on the Severn. It wasn't until 1835 that a branch to Newport was extended from the Birmingham and Liverpool Junction Canal and then through to connect to the Shrewsbury tub system at Wappenshall. The locks to Shrewsbury were widened to the 7' from the 6'2". The last working boats left Shrewsbury in 1936 and in 1944 the route was abandoned. There is a Trust dedicated to resurrecting the route.

After Grub Street Cutting comes the Shelmore Embankment. This caused immense problems for Thomas Telford and he died before it was finally stabilised. There were frequent slippages under it's own weight making it the last part of the Birmingham and Liverpool Junction Canal to open fully. It took 1.5 million cu yards of material, much from the Grub Street Gnosall cuttings and much more besides, to gain the 60 height required and there were still several slippages until September 1834 the first boat crossed over and the full length was opened.

We stopped at Gnosall for water and decided that we would just pull back and moor up on the visitor moorings there. And still we haven't got wet, but things are looking a little greener.