myText = new Array("Aldersley Junction is the northern end of the 'Main Line'. There is a boat in front of us leaving the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal.", "Immediately after the junction is Wolverhampton Locks, a flight of 21 in under 2 miles. The change of level is 132'. There are pictures of this flight under 'Along the cut, Locks' or select 'Wolverhampton Locks' from the '2003' drop down box.", "Here at the bottom the surroundings are very rural.", "At the halfway point.", "The canal goes under Cannock Road Bridge just below lock 5. This is one of quite a number of canal bridges that featured in our lives whilst living in South Staffordshire between 1969 and 1972. This one on the road between home and Wolverhampton.", "The cottages beside the top lock.", "The canal is in the centre of Wolverhampton where, now here beside the Wolverhampton Inner Ring Road, there was once a hive of activity with warehouses and a railway interchange.", "The inner ring road can be seen here on the left. Just beyond the same road but further round is the historic area of All Saints.\nThere are pictures of this under 'Along the cut, Places' or select 'All Saints' from the '2003' drop down box.", "We have entered the Wyrley & Essington Canal at Horseley Fields Junction in the centre of Wolverhampton.", "The canal starts amidst railway lines, industry and a series of now closed off canal arms the access to which was under the towpath bridges seen here on the right.", "At Wednesfield Junction the Bentley Canal, abandoned in 1961, was a connection to the Walsall Canal at Darlaston.", "We are now on what is known as the outer reaches of the BCN. Very few boats venture here so we caused a bit of a sensation as we passed by a school playground.", "With few boats the water has a covering of weeds and lots of detritus. Progress is slow especially as we have to stop often to clear the propeller.", "Travelling north we leave Wolverhampton behind and the view is green and pleasant. This belies the area's past which was once part of the South Staffordshire Coalfield. This area is now Roughwood Country Park.", "Our propeller manages to collect this tyre bringing us to a complete halt and we have to pull 'Two Jays' to a safe mooring. It took 3 BW staff 30 minutes to cut the tyre clear.", "Sneyd Junction in Bloxwich was once the start of the Wyrely Branch.", "At Birchills Junction the Walsall Canal leaves, under the bridge, to the south.", "Little Bloxwich Bridge is another of the canal bridges we regularly crossed when we lived in, now nearby Pelsall. It was on the way to Wolverhampton and, in spring/summer 1971 to Bloxwich Maternity Home.", "Countryside has really now taken over as we pass a field of cows.", "Passing Pelsall Junction where the Cannock Extension Canal leaves to the left.", "York's Bridge on the road from Pelsall to Cannock Chase.", "York's Foundry Bridge on the road from Pelsall to Brownhills, our route to the south via Stonebridge, Warwick and the M45. Those were the days before the M6 had been built.", "We moored up by Ryders Hays and visited St. Francis Close. No.15, we lived here from 1969 to 1972, is the end one.", "High Bridge bridge on the road to Brownhills.", "The Brownhills/Wolverhampton Road now crosses the canal for the fourth and last time at Beck's Bridge.", "Catshill Junction is where the canal now ends. The Angelesey Branch is to the left and the Daw End Branch to the right.", "The Cannock Extension Canal starts out from the Wyrley & Essington Canal at Pelsall Junction. The junction is through the bridge.", "The canal heads north in an absolutely straight line ...", "... with combinations of cuttings and embankments.", "One of two basins show the origins for this canal built 1858-63. These served the Brownhills Colliery.", "Pelsall Road Bridge. Another bridge we used when we drove to Cannock Chase.", "The same bridge at road level. As well as the all too familiar hump the bridge has sharp bends on both sides and set on a fast country lane is one of the more dangerous ones. It is guarded by 15mph signs.", "The canal ends where ...", "... the A5 trunk road crosses at ground level. Once it continued as the Hatherton Canal which in turn joined to the Staffs & Worcestershire Canal at Hatherton Junction.", "Beside the road there are remains of some moorings. There is talk of a restoration. This has been much advanced since a successful campaign lead by actor David Suchet has funded a means of crossing the currently under construction M6 Toll Road.", "The Anglesey Branch is entirely rural belying its coal mining past.", "Ogley Junction was where the main line once continued on to the Coventry Canal at Huddlesford Junction. Restoration is being considered spurred on by another successful fund raising effort to preserve a crossing of the M6 toll motorway.", "The branch ends at Chasewater. The outfall from the reservoir, built to supply water to the whole of the Wyrley & Essington Canal, can be seen here.", "The Daw End Branch starts under this bridge at Catshill Junction.", "This is the lowest bridge yet that we have had to negotiate. Fortunately the only thing that hits the height markers are the flowers.", "Passing one of many clay pits, some are still being worked.", "Daw End Bridge is another of those that we regularly crossed. It was on our commuter route from Pelsall to Birmingham.", "At Longwood Junction the branch used to carry on straight ahead to Hay Head. What remains is used by the Longwood Boat Club. The Rushall Canal and top lock are to the right.", "These bags contain all the none green items we have cleared from the propeller in 19 miles and 3 days of cruising since leaving Sneyd Junction.", "This BW barge was moored at Longwood Junction proving that some work is being done to clear the canal.", "Rushall Top Lock marks the start of the Rushall Canal at Longwood Junction.", "At lock 3 we meet the only other boat we have seen on the move since Wolverhampton but it's not going anywhere!", "The problem is that the pound below the lock has been drained. The steel and stones are on the canal bed just below the lock.", "This is the empty pound seen from lock 4.", "BW turn up and start to let the water flow into the empty pound.", "The pound has been filled up so we are able to proceed once more.", "Below lock 5 there are water lilies.", "We have moored at the bottom lock. Hopefully the canal will be clearer from here.", "The canal ends here at Rushall Junction just beyond the eastern side of the M6/M5 complex. Here below the M6.", "Rushall Junction on the Tame Valley Canal. The route to Satley Junction and the south is under the bridge, Ocker Hill and the Black Country is to the right.", "The canal was opened in 1844 to provide relief to the congestion and delays via Farmers Bridge in the centre of Birmingham. In its day the canal was the motorway of its time with towpaths on both banks, few bends and no locks.", "To achieve this there are embankments with several aqueducts.", "Just after leaving Rushall Junction towards Ocker Hill the canal is, perhaps ironically, accompanied by the M6 motorway.", "Then on another aqueduct ...", "... crosses over the M5 motorway.", "and yet another aqueduct ...", "across a railway line.", "and then there are cuttings.", "Our hope of collecting less on the propeller proved futile. This is a pile of carpet.", "No we didn't remove this item. It was just sitting on the towpath! Another feature of the canal are the electricity sub-stations and associated pylons.", "The canal ends at Tame Valley Junction where it joins the Walsall Canal. Walsall is to the left and the Tame Valley Canal under the bridge.", "The Walsall Canal at Tame Valley Junction where the Tame Valley Canal leaves for Perry Barr under the brick bridge on the right.", "Passing the remains of the Lower Ocker Hill Tunnel Branch.", "Ryder's Green Bottom Lock", "There are 8 locks in the flight, a rise of 45 feet. Going this way rather than via Salford Junction will save us negotiating 24 locks.", "We recruited some assistance at the top lock.", "The Walsall Canal ends at Ryder's Green Junction where it meets the Wednesbury Old Canal. The picture was taken from the Walsall Canal.", "The Wednesbury Old Canal, straight ahead in the picture, joins the Walsall Canal at Ryder's Green Junction. To the left, behind the brick pillar, the bridge has been demolished, is the ...", "... Ridgacre Branch. Half a mile of this is navigable to where it has been cut off by the Black Country Spine Road.", "The Canal is very short but provides a vital link ...", "... from the Birmingham Main Line here at Pudding Green Junction to the northern reaches. The Wednesbury Old Canal is on the right and the main line to Tipton and Wolverhampton is on the left.", "Pudding Green Junction on the New Main Line where it meets the Wednesbury Old Canal.", "When eventually Brindley's 1769 contour canal became so congested Telford was asked by the operators to come up with a solution. By 1838 the work had been completed. In this section the solution was to build a completely new canal and as here at Bromford Junction several connections with the old one. The New Main Line continues to the right while on the left, up a flight of 3 locks is a 'slip road' to the Old Main Line.", "The New Main Line now passes under the Old one through the Stewart Aqueduct. 150 years later the M5 was built over the top!", "The two canals run side by side with one 20 feet above the other as can be seen by these interconnecting tow path steps.", "Telford constructed another aqueduct to allow his canal to pass below an arm of the old canal. The aqueduct is known as Telford Aqueduct and the arm is the Engine Arm.", "At Smethwick Junction the old and new lines merge. The old is on the right, the new on the left.", "Worcester Bar in the centre of Birmingham is the junction between the Worcester & Birmingham Canal and the Main Line. A stop lock was constructed in 1815. Before this there was a 7' gap enforced by the Birmingham Canal Company preventing a connection. Thus the name.", "Today the gates are left open. Beside the lock is Gas Street Basin. The area has been completely transformed since the 1970's. Sadly, before today's more enlightened times, the old warehouses have been demolished rather than restored.", "The canal now passes the International Conference Centre and Symphony Hall, on the left, and Brndley Place and the Sea Life Centre, on the right and ...", "... on to Farmers Bridge or Old Turn Junction. The island in the middle was rebuilt in 1985. It marks the centre of the Birmingham Canal Navigation which itself is in the centre of the whole network.", "Through the bridge towards the heart of Birmingham is Cambrian Wharf.", "Back at the island one arm leads into Oozels Street Loop. This and several other loops were created by Telford when he improved Brindley's contour canal. Brindley Place is on the right and on the left above the island is the National Indoor Arena.", "Going round the loop is an amazing contrast between the old, this is Sheepcote Street Bridge and ...", "... the ultra modern.", "The grand western entrance to the loop on the right.", "Once away from the area immediately around Brindley Place the canal returns to its past. This is the entrance to Monument Lane Railway Basin.", "Approaching Icknield Port Loop at Sandy Turn.", "Going round the loop through Icknield Port Bridge and ...", "... passing much older buildings and canalscape.", "At the western end there are factories.", "The loop ends at Rotton Park Junction, a literal cross roads. The view is looking west along the Main Line. The Icknield Port Loop is on the left and Soho Loop on the right.", "The start of Soho Loop.", "Going round the loop with distant views of the city centre.", "The entrance to Hockley Port Basin.", "Hockley Port was a canal railway interchange.", "Further round the loop passing Winson Green Prison.", "The end of the loop at Winson Green Junction.", "The main line heads towards Smethwick Junction.", "Having left Smethwick Junction the Old Main Line climbs the three Smethwick Locks.", "Rabone Lane Bridge crosses the Old Main Line, the bridge wall is in the foreground, just below Smethwick Bottom Lock. The bridge over the New Main Line is approximately where the car and pedestrian are. The hump is in fact over the railway line.", "We get no further than Smethwick Middle Lock. In the background is the top lock. The crew on the boat in the lock are unable to close the bottom gate due to an obstruction and so are unable to fill the chamber.", "Passing through Broad Street Tunnel into Brindley Place ...", "... and turn left at Old Turn Junction. We spent two nights in Oozells Street Loop before ...", "... setting off past the other end of Oozells Street Loop towards Smethwick.", "We diverted round Soho Loop (here approaching Asylum Bridge) to investigate the possibility of stopping off to access the City Hospital but found nowhere to moor. The loops were created when between 1823 and 1838 Brindley's original canal was straightened and shortened.", "At Smethwick the Old Main Line (to the right) and New Main Line (straight ahead take separate paths.", "Leaving Smethwick Junction there are 3 locks that raise the canal to what is known as the Wolverhampton Level. This is the top lock. This is our first successful passage in three attempts.", "At the top is the entrance to the Engine Arm built to carry a feeder. Through the bridge can be seen the Telford Aqueduct. This carries the arm over the Telford's new canal 40' below.", "The New Smethwick Pumping Station now preserved.", "There is a short tunnel, Summit Tunnel. It carries the date 'MDCCXC'. The actual original line was higher but was lowered in an effort to save water.", "At Spon Lane there is a link, much like the modern day slip road (ironically overshadowed by the very modern M5 motorway), back down to the new line. The old line continues to the left ...", "... to cross the new line on Stewart Aqueduct. Amazingly after the canal builders left both the railway and motorway builders came.", "The motorway accompanies the canal for over a mile.", "The Titford Canal joins at Oldbury Junction.", "Beyond Oldbury the motorway has been left behind.", "At Bradeshall Junction there is yet another link (via the Gower Branch) to the new canal.", "There are three locks on the Gower Branch. The first two are a staircase.", "The ž mile branch is completely straight.", "It meets the New Main Line at Albion Junction.", "The canal starts underneath the M5 motorway at Oldbury Junction where it leaves the Old Main Line.", "There is lots of debris at and in the bottom lock. After spending some time removing some of it we fill the lock. We then discover that the bottom gate won't close properly. We have to call in 'official' assistance to remove the offending items (bricks).", "There are 6 locks, a rise of 38' to 511', the highest level on the BCN.", "The top lock is accompanied by a fine pumping house built in 1840 and housing a Boulton and Watt steam engine.", "Langley Maltings were built by The Showells company in the 19th century. Barley is still 'malted' here by the traditional method and then used by breweries in Wolverhampton and Dudley.", "Today Langley Forge is used by Finkl UK to machine engineering components. It was built in the 19th century to make and machine engine forgings.", "Standing beside the Wolverhampton Road is the New Navigation Inn.", "Beyond the road bridge the navigation more or less ends, it becomes too shallow, at Titford Pools. The canal acts as a feeder from here to Rotton Park Reservoir.", "As here, beyond Albion Junction, the New Main Line is straight with a towpath both sides.", "The Netherton Tunnel Branch leaves the main line at Dudley Port Junction. Work is in progress so we must wait for the way to be clear.", "The branch passes beneath Tividale Aqueduct carrying the Old Main Line.", "The Netherton Tunnel is 3027 yds. long. It was the last major tunnel to be built, opened in 1858. It is wide so narrow boats can pass and has a towpath on both sides.", "The branch ends at Windmill End where it meets the Dudley No. 2 Canal.", "Leaving Windmill End.", "Cobbs Engine House with its chimney still in place stands on the hill above.", "There follows a fine example of a toll island and ...", "... a now disused coal wharf.", "Gosty Hill Tunnel is 577 yds. long and with a very high roof is cathedral like.", "The entrance to Hawne Basin marks the end of navigation. The canal once continued on to Selly Oak where it joined the Worcester & Birmingham Canal. This route included the 3795 yd. Lapal Tunnel. This was closed in 1917 following subsidence.", "Hawne Basin is at the end of navigation.", "The canal once served the many coal mines and other heavy industries. Today these have all gone. The scene here at Combes Footbridge looks almost rural.", "In the Old Hill area there are now houses.", "Elsewhere there are modern industrial units.", "When Netherton Tunnel was built the area around Windmill End was re-modelled.", "Passing Lodge Farm Reservoir.", "This cutting was originally Brewins Tunnel. It was opened out only 20 years after it was built in 1838.", "The canal now winds its way around ...", "... Netherton Hill.", "Passing the entrance to the 'Two Locks Line'. This provided a short cut that avoided the longer route, via Blower's Green Junction, to the Dudley No. 1 Canal.", "The canal ends at Blower's Green Junction just beyond this bridge.", "Blower's Green Lock marks the start of the canal at Blower's Green Junction. Beyond the pool can be seen Park Head Locks, the route to the Dudley Tunnel. Beside the lock is the restored pump house.", "Passing the entrance to the 'Two Locks Line', the onetime short cut to the Dudley No. 2 Canal.", "The route is one of contrasts. At first it retains its original industrial feel.", "This is then dramatically changed at Merry Hill Waterside and ...", "... Shopping Centre. Built on the site of Round Oaks Steel Works that ceased production in 1983/", "This is the classic view of Delph Locks looking down the hill at locks 2 to 8. There is an overall change of level of 85'. There are pictures of these under 'Along the cut, Locks' or select 'Delph Locks' from the '2005' drop down box.", "There is a special procedure for descending so as to avoid flooding the lock pounds. This uses a colour guide whereby the top paddles of the lock below are opened before emptying the lock above.", "The stables still stand beside Lock 3.", "The view looking up the hill is equally dramatic with the overflow of locks 2 to 7.", "The canal ends at Delph Bottom Lock.", "The start of the canal is at the bottom of Delph Locks. It is signed on Black Delph Bridge.", "Ascending Delph Locks.", "Blower's Green Lock is the deepest on the BCN. This came about when due to subsidence the original two locks were replaced by this one.", "The canal ends at Blower's Green Junction. Straight ahead are Park Head Locks leading to Dudley Tunnel.", "The canal starts here on the right at Blower's Green Junction where it leaves the Dudley No. 1 Canal.", "Bumble Hole Branch was formerly part of the main canal. It was left as a short arm when the Netherton Tunnel was built.", "Approaching Windmill End with a grand view of Cobb's Engine House.", "Approaching the southern portal of Netherton Tunnel.", "Just beyond the northern portal of Netherton Tunnel is Tividale Aqueduct carrying the Old Main Line.", "The Netherton Tunnel Branch (on the left) joins the New Main Line proper at Dudley Port Junction.", "Passing Albion Junction the connection (on the left) to the Gower Branch.", "Here at Pudding Green Junction is the connection with the Wednesbury Oak Canal (on the right).", "At Bromford Junction there is a short connection (on the left) through 3 locks to the Old Main Line.", "Smethwick Junction where the New and Old (from the left) Main Lines combine.", "At Smethwick Junction the separate old and new main lines come together.", "Winson Green Junction at the northern end of the Soho Loop. This and the two further loops were created as part of the improvements made by Thomas Telford between 1825 and 1838.", "Rotten Park Junction is a waterways cross roads. On the right is the eastern end of the Soho Loop and on the left is the western end of the Icknield Port Loop.", "Sandy Turn, the eastern end of the Icknield Port Loop.", "Ladywood", "Winson Green", "Soho", "Galton Valley", "Spon Lane Bridge", "Albion", "Dudley Port", "The 3 Factory Locks that raise the canal from the Birmingham to the Wolverhampton level.", "At Factory Junction the old main lines joins from the left.", "Beans Foundry, Tipton.", "Coseley", "Coseley Tunnel", "Deepfields Junction where the Wednesbury Oak Loop leaves on the right.", "The present day loop was created as part of the 1825-38 improvements when the new canal was diverted through Coseley Tunnel.", "Progress is extremely slow due to the excessive amount of weed.", "We only get as far as the first winding hole in Ladymoor. It's taken an hour to progress ˝ mile.", "It takes another hour using our pole to turn round and moor by Highfields Road Bridge.", "Rejoining the Main Line from the Wednesbury Oak Loop under the bridge on the right.", "Passing under Hills Bridge we notice the boundary sign for the City of Wolverhampton.", "Factory Junction is under Factory Bridge. The Old Main Line leaves on the right and the New Main Line continues straight ahead.", "Rising in Factory Locks", // this is where the missed 2006 photos should go "At Aldersley Junction waiting on the Staffs & Worcestershire Canal before turning left, under the bridge to enter Wolverhampton Bottom Lock.", "Making our way up the flight. This is the view looking down from Cannock Road Bridge.", "Rising in the top lock. It has taken about 4 hours.", "We have had to fill every one of the 21 locks and then just as we exit the top lock a boat appears from under Broad Street Bridge!", "At Broad Street on the right are the secure moorings, on the left the service moorings and shown inset Broad Street Basin which on the main picture is to the left. There are pictures of the Wolverhampton city Trail under 'Along the cut, Places' or select 'Wolverhampton City Trail' from the '2006' drop down box.", "The canal passes around the suburbs of Wolverhampton, here passing a coal loading conveyor, ...", "... the edge of Bilston ...", "... and this sculpture? in Priestfield.", "Inside Coseley Tunnel. Note that its wide enough for boats to pass and has a towpath of both sides.", "At factory Junction looking along the Old Main Line towards Dudley.", "Descending Factory Locks.", "Cruising the New Main Line through Dudley Port. It is wide, straight and has a towpath on both sides showing off the best features of Telford's modernisation in the 1820/30's.", "At Dudley Port Junction we have a \"near miss\" with a boat that comes straight out of the Netherton Tunnel Branch.", "Approaching Albion Junction. The island in the foreground is a toll collection point. Sadly as elsewhere the office building has long gone. We go on to Brindley Place from here. Sadly there are no more pictures due to a camera battery failure.", "Warwick Bar with, in the background, Broad Street Tunnel.", "Old Turn Junction and in the background the National Indoor Arena.", "The waterside development around Oozells Street Loop.", "Cruising in Smethwick and ...", "... Winson Green.", "Smethwick Junction. Straight ahead is the New Main Line with on the right the Old Main Line.", "Entering the canal at Smethwick Junction.", "The collection of rubbish at Smethwick Top Lock presumably 'rescued' from the canal.", "So this is how they paste those posters. This display is designed to be seen by drivers on the M5.", "The location of Stewart Aqueduct is a bit of a transport mecca. Below is the New Main Line while crossing above are the Birmingham to Wolverhampton Railway Line and above that the M5 motorway,", "The M5 and canal wind their way towards Oldbury.", "An unscheduled stop at Valencia Wharf to clear the propeller. One of the hazards of cruising the BCN.", "The canal has a second aqueduct, the Tividale Aqueduct. This crosses over the Netherton Tunnel Branch.", "Things we encountered in Dudley Port. The jacket was 'rescued' from our propeller going through Keir's Bridge.", "Tipton Junction. The route to the right on the photo is towards the Black Country Museum and on to Dudley Tunnel.", "Factory Junction. Under the bridge is the route of the New Main Line down Factory Locks to Birmingham.", "The northern section of the Main Line starts here going under the bridge to head towards Wolverhampton.", "Cruising through Coseley Tunnel.", "Canalside development in Wolverhampton.", "We met our friends David and John in Wolverhampton.", "The start of the 21 Wolverhampton locks.", "Jordan's Bridge below lock 8 is very low and we've taken down our chimney.", "Between locks 10 and 11 the towpath is flooded.", "Exiting the bottom lock. It's taken 3 hours to get here. We've travelled just 2 miles but descended 132 feet.", "Below the lock at Aldersley Junction and the Staffs & Worcestershire Canal we have to avoid these fishermen.", "This toll point is just beyond Salford Junction which can be seen below the bridge where the bus is crossing. High above is the M6 motorway.", "The canal then passes under the heart of Spaghetti Junction. It's a surreal experience with the traffic going in every direction on roads at many levels.", "Soon after this comes the first of the 13 Perry Barr Locks which raise the canal by 106' 0\". There are pictures of our ascent under 'Along the cut, Locks' or select 'Perry Bar Locks' from the '2007' drop down box.", "Locks 7 to 3 are close together and despite the locale have a very country look.", "The canal was opened in 1844 as an avoiding route around the centre of Birmingham. As a 'modern' canal it has long straight sections achieved by massive earthworks that created two cuttings and ...", "... an embankment before getting to ...", "... Rushall Junction where it is joined by the Rushall Canal.", "The bridge that takes one of the towpaths on the Tame Valley Canal over the Rushall Canal at Rushall Junction.", "Other than a sofa which floated past these are some of the items we 'rescued' from our propeller!", "As we negotiate the locks, there are 8 raising the level by 65' 0\", we encounter lots of surface vegetation, mainly lilies. There are pictures of our ascent under 'Along the cut, 'Locks' or select 'Rushall Locks' from the '2007' drop down box.", "The water level is about 2' below normal between locks 3 and 2 as a result of a leaky lock. We had been told that water was being let down but it still takes us just under an hour to negotiate little over one mile.", "The canal ends at the top lock at Ladywood Junction where it meets the Wyrley & Essington Canal.", "The Daw End Branch was built in 1803 extending the Wyrley & Essington Canal through Daw End to Hay Head exploiting the lime found in these areas. It now ends at a short arm (on the left) at Longwood Junction where it meets the Rushall Canal (on the right.", "Going through Aldridge we meet a group from St. Mary's School, Handsworth.", "Also in Aldridge there's lots of light industrial units beside the canal. All of them completely ignore the canal.", "The branch ends, begins, where it meets the Wyrley & Essington Canal main line.", "Catshill Junction is where, on the right, the Daw End Branch starts.", "Shopping in Brownhills. Tesco's is just across the road from the moorings.", "We are now stopping fairly often to clear the propeller.", "Some sections are quite narrow due to the growth of vegetation.", "And of course there are the many bends giving the canal its nickname 'Curly Wyrley'.", "Our prize find on the propeller, a whole quilt.", "Looking towards Brownhills at Catshill Junction.", "Looking back at the Wyrley & Essington Canal at Birchills Junction from the Walsall Canal.", "The area around Walsall Top Lock is very interesting. We have found secure moorings beside where once was Ernie Thomas' boatyard. The buildings on the left are The Boatman's Mission, The Toll House and The Lock Keepers Cottage. There are pictures of our descent under 'Along the cut, Locks' or select 'Walsall Locks' from the '2007' drop down box.", "There are 8 narrow locks, a fall of 65'. There is a covering of weed on the surface but we manage to descend without clearing the prop until we get to the bottom lock.", "The area at the bottom of the flight is also interesting. The lock seen here is Lock 7. In the foreground is the restored Albion Mill. The chimney was part of The Bradford Ironworks.", "Just below the bottom lock, seen here on the left, is the Walsall Town Arm.", "It's quite short but gets right to the town centre.", "We find a problem when we get to almost the end of the arm as there's a boom across the entrance to the basin and no instructions on what to do. I have a closer look, on foot, and it appears that the boom is on a spring so I get Janice to very gently try to move it. This works and so we are able to moor up. We are the only boat there.", "Back on the main line we pass the ornate gateway to Sister Dora Gardens. Sister Dora was a sort of civilian Florence Nightingale being in charge of Walsall's first hospital.", "A more unusual canalside building is this Gurdware in Pleck.", "Passing Tame Valley Junction where the Tame Valley Canal, between the bridges on the right, heads off to the east.", "We are greeted at Ryders Green Bottom Lock by a BW crew who are out on rubbish patrol. They have already got a shopping trolley on their van. There are pictures of our ascent under 'Along the cut, Locks' or select 'Ryders Green Locks' from the '2007' drop down box.", "At lock 2 there is a boat unable to get through the bridge. After various attempts the BW crew arrive and 'rescue' another trolley.", "Beyond the top lock is Ryders Green Junction where the canal meets the Wednesbury Old Canal.", "Ryders Green Junction, the connection with the Walsall Canal.", "A fisherman beneath Conveyor Bridge.", "Approaching Pudding Green Junction where the canal meets the New Main Line.", "At Pudding Green Junction the Wednesbury Old Canal leaves on the right.", "The M5 motorway and the Old Main Line on the Stewart Aqueduct both cross the canal.", "Cruising through Galton Tunnel", "A toll island.", "The Telford Aqueduct that carries the Engine Arm over the canal.", "At Smethwick Junction the New Main Line merges with the Old Main Line (from on the left).", "Smethwick Junction where the New Main Line (on the left) and the Old Main Line (on the right) having merged the canal continues towards the centre of Birmingham.", "At Old Turn Junction looking towards Gas Street. The Sea Life Centre and Brindley Place is on the right and hidden from view the International Convention Centre on the left.", "Emerging from Broad Street Tunnel to pass ...", "... the Water Bus just before we get to Worcester Bar.", "Passing through Worcester Bar.", "Old Turn Island has an additional item as we pass by.", "We meet the water bus going along Oozells Street Loop (for a diesel stop).", "Lunch stop in Smethwick.", "Smethwick Junction, the New Main Line on the left and the Old Main Line on the right.", "Turning into the Old Main Line at Smethwick Junction.", "At the bottom of Smethwick Locks Rolfe Street Bridge is being widened and re-surfaced.", "The pile of rubbish that was here at the top gates of Smethwick Top Lock has been cleared away.", "Emerging from Summit Tunnel.", "Crossing over the New Main Line on the Stewart Aqueduct below the M5 motorway.", "We moor at an unusual spot. On Tividale Aqueduct. Despite its seemingly exposed location the aqueduct wall is high enough to hide us from view. We have a very quiet and undisturbed night.", "The Old Main Line ends at Factory Junction.", "Going through Factory Bridge at Factory Junction heading north towards Wolverhampton.", "Passing through Coseley Tunnel. There's a towpath on both sides.", "Phyl, Roy and Rosey have come to Wolverhampton and here we are about to set off to work our way down the 21 locks. For more pictures of their visit see under 'Visitors' or select 'Phyl, Roy and Rosey visit' from the '2007' drop down box.", "It takes about 3 hours to get to the bottom lock.", "Just below the lock is Aldersley Junction and the Staffs. & Worcester Canal.", "Entering Wolverhampton Bottom Lock. The Staffs. & Worcester Canal at Addersley Junction can be seen below the bridge.", "Unlike the last time we were on the flight in early August there is no water running over the overflow weirs.", "It takes us 3ź hours to get to the top lock.", "Approaching Coseley Tunnel.", "Below Factory Bridge the Old Main Line leaves on the right with the New Main Line straight ahead.", "Factory Top Lock just beyond Factory Junction.", "Crossing Ryland Aqueduct.", "Exiting Galton Tunnel.", "Smethwick Junction.", "Traversing Smethwick Junction from the New Main Line.", "As we pass the scrap yard in Soho the crane is lifting a container.", "Turning right at Old Turn.", "Worcester Bar is beyond Broad Street Tunnel.", "The BCN boundary (see inset sign) with the Stourbridge Canal and the start of the Dudley No. 1 Canal is at Black Delph Bridge just beyond which is Delph Bottom Lock.", "The overflows beside the locks are like a waterfall.", "Most of the flight can be seen from Ninelocks Bridge above lock 2.", "We didn't meet another boat whilst on the flight but got some help from a towpath walker who had come to the locks armed with a windless and anti vandal key.", "Blower's Green Lock takes us up to the Birmingham Level.", "Above the lock is Blower's Green Junction where the Dudley No. 1 Canal ends.", "Two Jays turning at Blowers Green Junction where the Dudley No. 2 Canal leaves.", "Passing between Netherton Hill and Saltwells Wood.", "A view of Netherton Hill.", "At Windmill End we go straight ahead to join the Netherton Tunnel Branch of the Main Line. The Dudley No. 2 Canal continues under the bridge on the right.", "The branch starts at Windmill End Junction where together with the Dudley No. 1 Canal and the Boshboil Arm there is a cross roads of canals.", "We approach the southern portal of Netherton Tunnel.", "It is 3,027 yards long and ...", "... it takes us 40 mins. to get through.", "Just beyond the southern portal we will pass through Tividale Aqueduct carrying the Old Main Line.", "The Branch ends at Dudley Port Junction where it joins the New Main Line.", "Dudley Port Junction where we have just joined the New Main Line from the Netherton Tunnel Branch which is on the left under the bridge.", "At Albion Junction the Gower Branch leads via Brades Hall Locks to the Old Main Line.", "Another access to the Old Main Line is at Bromford Junction this time via Spon Lane Locks.", "In Galton Valley we come across nb SS Irwell which has seemingly come adrift. The canal is wide so we are able to pass by quite easily. As we pass we notice someone is aboard.", "Passing through the 122 yd. long Galton Tunnel.", "The New Main Line ends at Smethwick Junction.", "At Smethwick Junction the Old and New Main Lines come together and the Main Line heads in to Birmingham City Centre.", "In this section the original canal was straightened leaving several loops. This is the entrance in Winson Green of the Soho Loop.", "The buildings of Oozells Street Loop mean we are approaching the city centre.", "We find a mooring beside the health club in the loop.", "Phyl and Roy come to see us for the week-end. On Sunday we take them for a cruise to Smethwick. To see the pictures go to 'Visitors' or select 'Phyl and Roy's cruise to Smethwick' from the '2009' drop down box.", "When we return we find a mooring in Gas Street Basin.", "The following day we make our way through Broad Street Tunnel, ...", "... going right at Old Turn Junction to ...", "... Farmers Bridge Top Lock, the start of the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal.", "Old Turn Junction where we enter the canal from the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal.", "We went around Oozells Street Loop to call in at Sherbourne Wharf for diesel.", "Between 1825 and 1838 Thomas Telford was commissioned to shorten Brindleys original line. This was achieved in the southern section by cuuting a straight line leaving 3 loops. Following on from Oozells Street Loop the picture shows from top to bottom:\nThe start of the Icknield Port Loop at Sandy Turn:\nRotton Park Junction which is a canal crossroads where on the left the Icknield Port Loop ends and on the right the Soho Loop starts:\nThe Soho Loop ends at Winson Green Junction (see bridge in background on the left), in the foreground is what remains of a toll station.", "Smethwick Junction is where Telford method of improvement was to create a new canal. The old line bears off to the right while the new line carries on straight ahead.", "At Smethwick Junction the New Main Line is striaight ahead while the Old Main Line leaves on the right.", "Telford's new line had to cross the old canal twice. Top is the Engine Arm Aqueduct and bottom the Stewart Aqueduct.", "Galton Tunnel is 122 yds. long. It takes us about 1 minute to pass through.", "There are several junctions. Clockwise from top left:\nBromford: On the right, ratrher like a slip road is via Spon Lane Locks a link to the old line.\nPudding Green: The Wednesbury Old Canal provides a link to Walsall.\nDudley Port: The Netherton Branch leads to Netherton Tunnel.\nAlbion: The Gower Branch provides another link to the old line.", "The 3 Factory Locks take the new line up to the level of the old line.", "Factory Junction marks the end of where a new canal was constructed.", "This is a view of Factory Junction from below Factory Bridge. From here on there were less dramatic improvemnts made.", "The loop around Coseley Hill was replaced by a 360 yd tunnel which takes us 5 minutes to complete.", "The north end of the loop, Bradley Arm, is at Deepfields Junction.", "This part of the canal we find to be quite weedy as can be seen in the winding hole.", "The last junction to pass by is Horseley Fields where the Wyrley & Essington Canal leaves towwards Walsall and Brownhills known as the Northern Reaches.", "With kind permission from BW we have an overnight mooring inside Braod Street Basin in Wolverhampton.", "The start of the Wolvehampton 21 Locks at Lock 1.", "59 minutes later we completed 7 of the locks.", "After another hour and 6 minutes we are leaving lock 14.", "It takes another hour and 15 minutes to get thtough the 21st and bottom lock ...", "... below which is Aldersley Junction and the Staffs. & Worcester Canal.") myPix = new Array("_01","_02","_03","_04","_05","_26","_06","_107","_07","_08","_09","_10","_11","_12","_13","_14","_15","_16","_17","_27","_28","_29","_30","_31","_32","_33","_18","_19","_20","_21","_22","_23","_34","_25","_24","_35","_36","_37","_38","_39","_40","_41","_42","_43","_44","_45","_46","_47","_48","_49","_50","_51","_52","_53","_54","_55","_56","_57","_58","_59","_61","_60","_62","_63","_64","_65","_66","_67","_68","_69","_70","_71","_72","_73","_74","_75","_76","_77","_78","_79","_80","_81","_82","_83","_84","_85","_86","_87","_88","_89","_90","_91","_92","_93","_94","_95","_96","_97","_98","_99","_100","_101","_102","_103","_104","_105","_106","_108","_109","_110","_111","_112","_113","_114","_115","_116","_117","_118","_119","_120","_121","_122","_123","_124","_125","_126","_127","_128","_129","_130","_131","_132","_133","_134","_135","_136","_137","_138","_139","_140","_141","_142","_143","_144","_145","_146","_147","_148","_149","_150","_151","_152","_153","_154","_155","_156","_157","_158","_159","_160","_161","_165","_162","_163","_164","_166","_167","_168","_169","_170","_171","_172","_173","_174","_175","_176","_177","_178","_179","_180","_181","_182","_183","_184","_185","_186","_187","_188","_189","_190","_191","_192","_193","_194","_195","_196","_197","_198","_199","_200","_201","_202","_203","_204","_205","_206","_207","_208","_209","_210","_211","_212","_213","_214","_215","_216","_217","_218","_219","_220","_221","_222","_223","_224","_225","_226","_227","_228","_229","_230","_231","_232","_233","_234","_235","_236","_237","_238","_239","_240","_241","_242","_243","_244","_245","_246","_247","_248","_249","_250","_251","_252","_253","_254","_255","_256","_257","_258","_259","_260","_261","_262","_263","_264","_265","_266","_267","_268","_269","_270","_271","_272","_273","_274","_275","_276","_277","_278","_279","_280","_281","_282","_283","_284","_285","_286","_287","_288","_289","_290","_291","_292","_293","_294","_295","_296","_297","_298","_299","_300","_301","_302","_303","_304","_305","_306","_307","_308","_309","_310","_311","_312","_313","_314","_315","_316","_317","_318","_319","_320","_321","_322","_323","_324","_325","_326","_327","_328","_329","_330","_331","_332","_333","_334","_335","_336","_337","_338","_339","_340","_341","_342","_343","_344","_345","_346","_347","_348","_349","_350","_351","_352","_353","_354","_355","_356","_357","_358","_359","_360","_361","_362","_363","_364","_365","_366","_367","_368","_369","_370","_371","_372","_373","_374")