Both ends of the Dudley Number 2 canal, and beyond

27th & 28th July

We saw something the night before last that we've not seen for a while. As the evening fell, several bats appeared flittering about over the grassy area next to our mooring. They were quite large – much bigger than the pipistrelles that we used to see when we lived on Anglesey. Consultation with the wildlife guide indicated that they were Daubenton's bats, a species noted for hunting near still water, and having a wing span of around 27 cm.

Yesterday dawned warm and sunny again, and we set off just after eight to do the eastern bit of the Dudley No 2 canal. The first part was frankly a disappointment – adjectives that came to mind were scruffy, grim and grotty.

Eventually, Gosty Hill Tunnel was reached. We'd heard conflicting reports about this, and we were grateful for the BW notice at the entrance that indicated that sections of the tunnel were low enough that we had to take the flower pots off the roof. This makes it just a bit lower than Harecastle, but no worse than some Middle Level bridges. The tunnel itself is downright spooky - not sure why, except the combination of height (for most of it), the two stretches of very low stuff, and the "narrer and shaller" effect came together to make it like no other we've negotiated.

On emerging from the tunnel, you go through what used to be the Stewarts and Lloyds massive tube factory, which made use of the canal for much longer than many other industries within the purview of the BCN.

When we got there, the folks in Hawne Basin were indeed very welcoming, and the diesel was the cheapest we've bought this year. The basin location is not exactly photogenic, unless you are into urban/industrial scenery.

In sum, we're glad we've been there, but won't be rushing back any time soon. One great advantage of spending the night in such a secure spot was that we were able to cope with the very warm night by leaving the slide, the side hatches and the Houdini wide open. Even so, it was difficult to sleep, and a change of weather would, I fear, be quite welcome for a bit.

Today we got away before eight, Sheila doing a sterling job of turning out of the basin. (Its entrance bridge is both low and narrow; indeed it provides a good measure of the tunnel restrictions, except of course you've already been through the tunnel before you get to the basin. Sorry, it's the heat.)

It took around 20 minutes to get through the tunnel, and we were back at Windmill End at a quarter past nine, so took around 90 minutes to do the length. After watering at the cafe, we set off again round the western section of the Dudley No 2, which winds along towards Park End, where it joins the Dudley N0 1.

Blowers Green Lock is one of the deeper ones in the system at 12 feet, but was very easy to work once the security bolts had been released. Fortunately I'd thought to put the handcuff key in my pocket before hopping off the boat, or we'd have been left with Sheila swanning about in the middle of the pool above the lock and me stood there unable to draw the paddles to let her in.

Be that as it may, down we went, the first lock since Tardebigge Top (I don't know, it's just one deep lock after another...) and then it seemed very little time before we were approaching Merry Hill.

The mooring situation here had been explained to us a number of times, but we were still unsure about it when we arrived, so for what it's worth, here's my account of it.

Approaching from the North, as we were, the first thing you come to are the controlled moorings, a set of pontoons behind a locked gate. You can book a mooring here, but we are told that it's now more than eight quid a night. Just beyond are some free BW moorings on the offside, and we stopped there for lunch and to do some shopping.

Both these are at The Waterfront, which is a mix of business park and bars and restaurants, so can, we understand, be a bit noisy at night – some of the places not shutting shop until three in the morning.

If you go just a bit further on, you come to the embankment that overlooks the actual Merry Hill shopping mall. Here there is a good set of mooring rings and some bollards, free to use, and hopefully quieter overnight. These are the ones you'd come to first if you've just come up the Delph Locks.

We've moved onto them now for that reason, and because, being at the top of an embankment, there's a bit more breeze, which is very welcome in the humid conditions still prevailing. All of these moorings are said to be quite secure, though if you were leaving the boat here for a time, you might want to stump up for the locked area, for the sake of your peace of mind.

Obviously, the Merry Hill centre has all the usual suspects when it comes to stores, but it's important to know that that includes a good sized Sainsbury's, so you can get food shopping as well as clothes, DVDs and electronics.

Tomorrow we plan to make an early start and tackle both the Delph and Stourbridge Locks, finishing in Stourbridge basin for the night.