Day 5: Bridge 43 Wombourne

Another day heading back along the Staffs & Worcs canal.

One of the attractions of canal travel to many are the numerous canal side Inns and Restaurants. Even if we were in the habit of stopping off for a meal at these establishments we passed this one a little early in the day.

The pub is the Round Oak and probably dates back to the 1800s, many such establishments would be built in the heyday of the canals. It must be remembered that while canal travel is slow and relaxed by our standards they were the motorways of their day. So the pubs were probably the forerunner of the service stations.

During the rest of the day we realised that we would have time in hand so decided to take a short detour up the Shroppie (Shropshire Union Canal). Mooring again out in the country but near a winding hole so that we could turn round and head back to the S & W next morning.