A question of transhipment

We're boating again, in this autumnal late May. I lit the stove yesterday, when we set off from Market Drayton, and it's been going all today too. (We had no data signal last night at Norbury Junction, hence the two-day post today. As it were.

We've been in full winter gear of hats, scarves and gloves to keep out the winter cold. At least it hardly rained yesterday. It was a different story today.

We stopped at Tyrley Wharf so we could go to church (via Zoom).  Then we ran the gauntlet of the cuttings, wondering how long before a major collapse blocks the canal for a considerable length of time.

This is a recent fall.
 

Having negotiated the narrow Woodseaves Cutting we passed what seemed like miles of anglers. I asked one of them how many there were; he thought there were 86. As we went by their long poles swung back across the cut.

Almost as soon as we tied up just before Norbury Junction it started to rain heavily. It was still raining when we went to bed.

This morning started dry and sunny, seemingly defying the forecast.   At Gnosall (I think it was) a Caraboat was moored, complete with number plate for road use.  I can't remember ever seeing one out of the water - have you seen one on the road?
 

We filled up with diesel at Turner's, Wheaton Aston, and stopped for lunch. Again, we timed it well as the light rain turned heavy as we ate. Tench went past, the steerer appearing to be a signed up member of the NPBC (former OwnerShips boaters might know what this is!)

We tied up just round the corner at Autherley Junction and had tea. Wolverhampton 21 tomorrow - whoopee! 

Meanwhile ... a friend is researching her ancestors, some of whom lived by the Grand Surrey Canal in Deptford.  Her great great grandfather worked with iron and zinc at Ida Wharf (later called Ocean Wharf).  Deliveries were received from Birmingham by canal.  My friend assumes that what is now the Grand Union Canal was used between Brum and London, but - and here is her question - would the same boat have been taken along and across the Thames to Surrey Dock and thence the Grand Surrey Canal?  The date is 1859 so horses would have been the predominant means of towing.  Would the materials have been transhipped when they reached the Thames?