Our visitors arrived on time and after finding a parking place were aboard and the talking didn't stop from then on. After getting the kettle on we set of on a pleasure trip for the day.
We were soon through Whittington Lock and with no time to visit the pub about a 1/4 mile from the lock that dates from 1310 and was home to Dick Wittington's grand father and Lady Jane Grey. Then we curved round the hills in the Stour Valley and Clay House Bridge.
Cookley Tunnel soon appears and once more it is a short one, only 65 yards. The fact that there are houses probably makes this definitely a tunnel and not a bridge!
Just through the tunnel is the little arm that once accessed Cookley Forge that had been there since about 1670 when a forge was added to what had been a mill. It remained until 1886 but remained an industrial site. Presently it is Titan Steel Wheels that employ about 450 people and make wheels for heavy earth movers and cranes etc.
Debdale Lock appears to be carved out of the sandstone cliff. The house next door, which may well have been the lengthsman's house.
In the face of the cliff is a cave. It used to have a door on but now is just open to reveal like a self round the walls at about stool height
We left the lock and the canal takes a sharp turn round the sandstone outcrop. We only went as far as the next winding hole to turn as we had to be back for a deadline. We moored up for lunch in the sun and were then soon off again.
Austcillf Holiday Homes have a lovely outlook across the canal and they look beautiful maintained. For some reason there was a set of signals by the canal too.
Cyd had to leave us but Chris remained and we adjourned to Kinver and the Plough and Harrow where the only beer they had was Batham's Bitter and Mild. What a shame, my favourite brewery!
We set the world to rights and caught up the last few years, and even made a few plans. It was great to catch up with them both, and all oiled by a few pints of Bathams. Thank you both for a really great day.
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