Friday 28^th September. Today we set off from Great Haywood with the intention of pushing on through to Alrewas, where we stopped on our outward journey. Passing through Rugeley, the back gardens of some of the houses tumble down almost into the canal.

They are all different, some having much care and attention paid to them.

We passed Hawkesyard Priory which backs on to Spode House. Nowadays it is a posh wedding venue.

A little later on there is Spode Cottage – nothing to do with the Spode family but a restaurant and pub!

And now, we’re stuck! Not in the mud but at Fradley Junction. When we got to the top lock at Fradley, one of the volunteer lock keepers told us to grab a mooring wherever we could since the river section beyond Alrewas was in flood, the lock gates were padlocked closed and boats were rafting up because of lack of mooring space on the towpath. What could we do? Well, we moored up alongside the rubbish disposal point – not the most salubrious of places but at least we were secure – shut up shop and went to the pub for supper. The Swan, an old boaters’ pub, is very cosy and served up a lovely lamb casserole – just what we needed. What to do next? We could be here for 2 or 3 days until the water level goes down enough to navigate the river section in safety. Ah well, have looked at the menu and The Swan have a carvery for  Sunday lunch, which is just as well as we haven’t been to a butchers lately for fresh supplies. And so to bed, let’s see what the morning brings.