Sunday 23^rd September. Today we decided to push on and try to get to Norbury Junction before the threatened rain from the remnants of hurricane ‘Thingy’ arrived sometime in the afternoon. We only had five locks today but they were fairly busy with a queue of six boats, luckily all behind us.

Even so, the locks were slow filling and it all took time. As we came to the top lock, even though there was no other boat coming our way, the gates swung open for us and we were able to sail straight in. Two gentlemen were standing there working the lock. I asked if they were volunteers for the newly formed Canal & Rivers Trust but they said: ‘No, if you volunteer you get put on a rota. We just like to turn up where we want to help out. It’s our way of keeping fit!’ What a lovely way to spend a Sunday morning. On this part of the Shroppie there are some wonderful high arch bridges.

But, because of the steepness of the sides, there are also slippages which have to be managed. The canal was closed recently because of one such landslide.

Looking to our right we could see in the murky distance The Wrekin

and then we passed the old Cadbury wharf where barges would transport chocolate to Bournville. The factory is still working but now produces dried milk.

Later we passed Shebdon wharf complete with canal side crane.

And yet another of the high bridges but this one with a telegraph pole right in the middle. No one seems to know what the pole was used for –ideas on a postcard please!

Well, we got to Norbury just as the rain set in and we nabbed the last mooring where we can stay for 5 days if we need to. Let’s hope the weather lets up a bit before that although the forecast is still a bit woolly! Roast Beef tonight – who cares if it’s raining?