This was the first mooring that we encountered "The Shroppy Shelf”
When the Shropshire Union Canal was constructed 200 years ago the shelf was the cutting-edge technology of its day used to reduce wash and protect the embankment.
At the time working boats overnighted at wharfs overnight so the shelf generally went unnoticed. However, the modern boaters on the canal system tend to moor on the towpath and this hidden feature has often caught out the unwary boater. Those familiar with the “Shroppie Shelf” carry 14” (356mm) wheelbarrow wheels to protect their boat when mooring.
The problem we had encountered was being unable to buy wheelbarrow wheels, we thought all the Shroppy chandlers would have them - wrong!!
We only just caught the shelf and once in bed the boat has a very slight list to port which was enough to keep us off the shelf during the sleeping hours.
Despite the shelf this was a very good mooring (whith wheels it would have been a brilliant mooring) quiet, peaceful and close to the village centre with it’s choice of restaurants and bars.
The mooring was on rings with a tarmac towpath.