Thursday and still in Stone

 

We popped back into town to stock up the larder again. On the way back we passed this information board which tells the story of the planning and building of the canal. The original proposal was dropped until Josiah Wedgewood and his partner Thomas Bentley revised it all in 1764. Wedgwood would have been keen to develop canal transport for the protection of the delicate pottery that was being produced. Transport by road would have been by horse and cart and breakages would have been high. The canal offered a smoother mode of transport for his precious cargo. 

Just before Star Lock is a fine looking retirement home on the edge of the canal. What a lovely way to spend the day watching all the boating antics.

And here's the Star at Stone. A tad run down since three years ago with weeds  along its frontage. 

We have just left Workhouse Lock, so named because the road next to the lock led to the village Workhouse. (We spent much of Friday morning trying to work out exactly which lock was Workhouse Lock. We had seen a reference to it on a walking map but couldn't place it.) 

The lock just after the services, water and loo, there is a tunnel under the road for the horses to go through. Getting in and out of the locks was quite interesting as there was a strong crosswind. The captain unanimously decided, especially after another boat was seen to be broadside above the last lock, that we should stop for the afternoon and night and not even think of trying to attempt the next four locks to get to Barlaston. This motion was unanimously supported by the crew. 

I made the mistake of thinking that it would be a good idea to check the weed hatch. There's been a lot of floating grass and foliage lately and I felt that things might be clagged up in the propeller department. 

Unfortunately, no-one had told me that I wasn't as young as I used to be. Perhaps I missed the memo. It was OK crawling into the back of the boat, but getting out wasn't so easy. I think I rediscovered muscles that had been put on the shelf years ago. 

The gratifying/annoying bit was that the propeller was clean as a whistle. In reality that's good. 

A last look at our mooring before bed. 

Short journey to Stone

 Only about six miles today on our way to Stone but there were also three locks to go through. 

 

A view forward as we cast off at about 11 o'clock. 

I think this is Salt Bridge and it's so ornamental that we wondered if it was made that way to appease a local landowner. Quite often architectural features were included in the canal design to smooth the way for cutting across someone's land. 

This is a very pretty canal. However, each of our logbooks say the same thing. Very pretty canal - but we don't really remember any of it. Possibly that's because it's all trees and fields, sheep and cattle. The archetypal British countryside. 

And, talking of sheep! 

We arrived at Stone at about 4 o'clock. We decided to moor just before the town so that we didn't have to go through the locks today. 

After tying up the boat we went into town and made our way to the Secret Café. 

The last time we came here was three years ago. Nothing's changed.

Hot chocolate and all the naughty bits for me and tea for the captain in a nice china cup. We also had a bite to eat after which we made our way back to the boat. Enough for one day! 

Tuesday 30th June

I know that I said it was not a salubrious mooring but that's only because we were adjacent to a lane with a bench on the towpath and youngsters tended to gather there. They weren't any trouble and I had a chat with three of them last evening. It's just the unknown element that can be unsettling. 

Anyway, no problem and, as you can see, the opposite side of the canal was quite charming. 

We remember this particular garden from the last time we came through Rugeley. 

Wow, you need mountain boots and oxygen to get to these gardens. 

Here's a good view of the River Trent. The captain is driving at the moment so I've had time to have a good look around. 

You remember I said that a fallen tree had blocked the canal, well, here it is. 

And here's the poor boat that was underneath it when it came down. 

The canal runs alongside Cannock Chase and it's really beautiful along here. 

We soon arrive at Great Haywood Junction. 

Still heading North we carried straight on towards Weston on Trent. 

The captain doesn't like working the locks going up the canal because she can't step across the lock gates in the way that I can.

Fortunately these locks have a bridge across to save you having to open one gate and then walk all the way round the lock to open the other. Very thoughtful of them. 

After a lovely day's cruising we found a mooring at Weston on Trent and went for a walk around the village village. There are a couple of pubs there but we had already made plans to eat on board. 

Fradley to Rugeley

 We have been advised that the canal is closed at bridge 70 because a tree has fallen across the canal and, worse than that, it's fallen across a boat. Thankfully no-one was hurt but we understand that the boat is a bit bent. 

We debated popping down to Alrewas while tree and boat clearance were underway. In the end we decided to continue heading North in the belief that the remedial work would be done before we arrived on the scene. 

Before we set off we walked round to the facilities to get rid of rubbish and empty the loo. We couldn't stop outside as per usual as we would have had to go through the lock, go down to Alrewas, turn round and come back again. 

So, here we are, first lock of the day at just after midday. The volunteer lock keeper has sent the captain on ahead to get the next ready while he opened the gate for us. 

Look at the gates at Woodend Lock. The angled beam makes them hard to open and close. 

Boo, boo HS2! The cottage at the side of the lock has been compulsorily purchased because of the railway development. What a waste. 

We continued our journey Handsacre and Armitage. 

Of course, Armitage is widely known for its Armitage Shanks water closets. And this is the very factory that produces all the loos. 

After passing through the town there is a very narrow passage, once a tunnel, and at the exit... 

Scrooge standing there to welcome you. 

We now enter Rugeley. 

Where once stood the cooling towers for the power station there is now a modern housing estate. 

We stopped for the night on the outskirts of Rugeley, not in the most salubrious of places but quiet enough for us for one night. 

Just found out that the canal is open again at bridge 70, so, tomorrow, we continue on our way. 

Off to Fradley Junction

 Not such an early start for us today but we did tackle one or two jobs that needed attention. 

Fazeley and Tamworth are gradually expanding with houses popping up everywhere. 

You can just about see the remains of Dunstall Farm which is now surrounded by new houses. When we last came past this way the land was only just being prepared for development. 

One thing I like about this stretch of canal is that the bridges have names instead of numbers. Somehow it makes the journey more interesting. 

We arrived at Hopwas only to be confronted by a boat straddling the canal. The owner was trying to get onto his private mooring. He'd got the back of the boat in but the front kept on being blown out by a strong wind. 

With his permission I tried to nudge the boat back into the side and with a bit of pushing and encouragement we managed to get the boat safely home. 

Swept past our favourite watering hole, the Tame Otter. 

There followed a very pleasant journey up to Whittington where we saw, once again, a Kota garden lodge similar to our own.

At Huddlesford you pass what remains of the Wyrley & Essington Canal, now only used for moorings. 

But, almost opposite is another favourite watering hole, the Plough. (That's 2 favourites in one day and we didn't stop at either.) 

Now passing Streethay Wharf. This is an old traditional wharf where you can get anything done to your boat. 

At last, journey's end, Fradley Junction. Ahead is the Mucky Duck, real name, the Swan. 

We had a little walk around the locks and the nature reserve. 

Found this interesting dragonfly wooden sculpture near the entrance. If ever you're passing through the area this is a quiet spot with plenty to see. 

Sunday evening and a bit of roast lamb to look forward to. 

Atherstone to Fazeley

 Phew! A cooler start to the day with a bit of cloud cover for a change. 

And off we go down through the remaining six locks. Two of the pounds were very low, a short pound not being helped by two boats coming through the bottom lock one after the other without waiting for us to clear the top lock first. C&RT are banging on about not wasting water and yet there are folk still not looking ahead to see if anyone is working the lock ahead of them. This also means that there are two boats trying to pass in very shallow water, one of those very likely to go aground. (OK grumble over, it's a lovely day, let's get back to boating). 

I know it's vandalism but I do love some of the artwork on the bridges. 

Nice to see the old house still standing at Grendon Wharf. One of the windows has fallen off, otherwise, still standing. 

We passed our friends on Always on the Bend on the mooring at bridge 52 as we came into Polesworth. We, however, carried on to just past bridge 54 where we have stopped before. 

A quick trip to the butchers but, alas, the hardware shop that I loved has gone along with one of the cafés nearby. I suppose change is inevitable. (Also a sign of old age - I find myself saying 'I remember when ...) 

A quick lunch onboard and then off we go again. 

If you can see it through the trees, Pooley Hall is very impressive. 

Pooley Country Park which is on the site of the former and Pooley Hall Colliery. Plenty of folk enjoying the park and the delights of the café. 

We passed the site of Alvecote Priory but, again, the trees have grown and you can't see much from the canal. I remember when... ! 

Next up Alvecote Marina. The marina was fairly empty but we did wonder if many of the traditional boats were down at Braunston for the rally. 

Then along through a peaceful wooded area and then into Amington. 

Again, folk do like their gardens. We love this stretch of canal where there are long gardens and you can compare what neighbours have done to keep up with next door. 

A glimpse into Glascote Basin Boatyard before the last two locks of the day. 

Down she goes. Captain at the helm. 

Nice touch, a memorial for Keith Douce, a long time worker for BW and C&RT. 

The Tale of Leaky Lock. These last two locks are horrible and the brass plate says it all. I had to get the captain to help me shut the top gate, it just wouldn't budge. 

Over the River Tame. I looked back and I've three or four similar views in the past. 

Fazeley Junction. We've made it, now where can we moor? 

Perhaps not here. I'm sure they're nice people but we'll go a little further on.

That's better, just a gaggle of geese. 

Sat outside on the towpath until almost 10 o'clock. This is one of the first years when we've had so many meals outside. Marvelous.