Morning in Kinver and then to Kidderminster

Densie moored at Kinver

We had decided to spend the morning in Kinver to see the sights. First task was to climb Kinver Edge, a high ridge a mile outside the village. Although most of the walk up was through woodland the top of the ridge is mainly grass. There are glorious 360 degree views stretching to Wolverhampton, Wenlock Edge, The Cotswolds and much in between. It's astonishing to think we were only 15 miles from the centre of Birmingham.

Kinver Rock Houses

On the way down we stopped to see the National Trust restored rock houses. These had been cut into the sandstone cliff in the 1600's and were occupied until the 1960s. Unfortunately the houses themselves were only open Thursday-Sunday so we werent able to see inside.

Then back to the village centre for a coffee and chocolate cake before returning to the boat for lunch, although the chocolate cake had rather dulled our appetite.

Cookley Tunnel

After eating we set off for Kidderminster. This part of the canal can bear comparison with the best on the network. The scenery is superb as the canal winds down the steep sided Stour valley twisting and turning to minimise the amount of rock removal required. Tall trees along the left hand side of the canal overhang the water, and occasional views of the small River Stour are seen through the wildflower covered edges on the right hand tow path side.

Blind corner south of Wolverley

At one point we passed through a lock next to a very crowded pub garden, and fortunately were able to provide a good example to the many onlookers of how locks should be worked, although Denise's efforts at raising the paddles were somewhat hampered by the large icecream in her left hand.

We arrived in Kidderminster at 15:30 and have moored close to the centre alongside a very large Sainsburys which we will visit tomorrow. The weather forecast is not too good for the morning so we will probably wait til after lunch or even the day after before carrying on to Stourport.