Cross Green

23rd July 2020 – Cross Green – first stop on the Staffy

First stop on the Staffy – oh look, there’s a pub! 😋️

We set off from Autherley Junction and stopped for water, and watched Steve and Caroline sail past and into the very shallow stop lock onto the Staffy. The lock may only be about an inch or two in depth but the doors still manage to be really stiff. How Caroline managed to get the door open I’ll never know – she has hidden strengths!!

Just as we went through the lock another boat came around the corner, making turning onto the Staffy a real faff – but that is all part of the joy of boating. What’s more, I did not hit anything! Autherly junction is right on the outskirts of Wolverhampton and has a large housing estate running along the canal – a very nice housing estate to be sure and we had no trouble with any rowdiness at night when we moored there – in fact it was a great place to stop. I was expecting this early part of the Staffy to be quite built up, but it was delightful and very green. Early on the way up the Staffy enters another tight cutting, which seemed tighter than the one on the Shroppy, but a lot prettier.

  • Surprisingly rural
  • With some lovely canal side properties
  • Steve waiting at the bridge
  • A bit of a squeeze!
  • Steve bringing up the rear
  • Tight – but pretty
  • Some interesting ‘urban art’ on some of the bridges
  • Duck royalty live here…
  • This looks like a good spot to moor!
A collage of our mooring

Yes! We went into the pub and it was awesome! Both Wendy and I had a burger each, though mine had extra stuff all over it (of course) – and they were excellent. I suppose the place was a little pricey but great value as the beer and food was really top notch.

They only had one beer, and of course, it would be the one that Steve does not like!! Lucky he carried on and left us to it.

We may catch them up tomorrow in Penkridge.