Back to Shardlow

We started the day off with breakfast in the Dragon.

Salmon and scrambled eggs for me and bacon and maple American pancakes for the captain. A good start to the day.

The first lock of the day was Stenson lock and look, they're all double width locks. The gates were so heavy that I had to tie up the boat and go back to help close them.

Oh dear, some things never change. This bridge is always getting knocked at some time or another. The bridges just weren't made for modern traffic. 

Now approaching Swarkestone lock. It was at Swarkestone that Bonnie Prince Charlie gave up his attempt for the throne of England. 

And off from the lock is all that remains of the Derby canal. Just a short stretch for moorings.

Luckily there was a volunteer lock keeper at the lock, so not as bad as previously.

Here's a view of the Summer House, all that remains of Sir Richard Harpur's Jacobean property. 

This bridge is close to the Ukrainian Settlement near Weston-on-Trent. 

Weston lock. Once again, heavy old gates and paddles. Luckily other boats coming up and we were able to get on the boat in the lock and sail off leaving them to sort everything out.

Doing my nature bit trying to get a picture of a heron. We've seen quite a few birds and ducks on our travels. A fleeting glimpse of a Kingfisher, Red Kite, Buzzard, Moorhen, Pigeon, Seagull and plenty of Mallard. We've even seen a rat making its way along the edge of the canal. Nature in all its glory.

And now we're entering Shardlow, a most interesting inland canal port. 

What was once a warehouse with an arch where boats entered to unload, now a pub.

When our boat was based at Pillings lock we would often come here. It has a great sense of canal history and is well worth a visit. Mind you, there's not much to do here but we love it.

And to round the day off a glorious sunset.

Tuesday - do you believe in dragons?

A sunny morning but with periods of rain promised during the day. So we set off hoping for the best.

Looking back, on the opposite side of the canal to our mooring, there is a whole new town that has sprung up since we were last here. We have been surprised by the number of new builds going up wherever we have travelled this year. It's encouraging that folk are buying houses but none of them look to be in the starter category. 

And the warehouses. They're so big. What goes into them? There's loads of them springing up as well.

But, at last, we are in Burton upon Trent, the home of Marston's Pedigree. Our guide book of 2000 says that the canal passes between the Bass and Marston breweries. I'm not so sure about that now but there were certainly a lot of barrels standing around ready for shipment. 

This is Shobnall basin, a place where we stopped off years ago to top up with fuel. It's fun backing into the entrance.

At Dallow lock is artwork showing the history of the town.

Just before Horninglow basin is Pirate which I believe is a steam powered craft. Unless the chimney is a fake! 

And at the basin even more artwork on the walls.

Now Brigid found a way to keep the rain at bay. She got out all the raincoats ready for the downfall - which never happened. Result. 

And here's the dragon. 

We arrived in time for a very late lunch, retired to the boat after and lit the fire. The forecast indicated a temperature of 6° overnight. No reason to be cold is there? 

Monday - onwards to Branston

A farewell look back at the Fradley locks.

As you can see, it's a sunny day although a little chilly again. 

Just past the last lock out of Fradley there's a new marina. They seem to be popping up all over the place and good luck to them. 

The next village we pass through is Alrewas. Usually we make a point of stopping here for yet another excellent butchers and pub. Also, Alrewas is home to the National Arboretum which we visited once when we came this way with Brian and Ann. But, no stopping this time - the freezer's full of meat already.

So onwards and on to the River Trent for a short while. It's great to get on to a river section where the water is deep enough that you can open up the engine without any worries. Sometimes on the canal, if it is shallow, the engine strains and judders if you try to go too fast. This is because you are trying to draw water past the boat faster than the canal wants to allow. The back of the boat gets dragged down and the propeller creates turbulence and the whole thing gets very uncomfortable.

Looking ahead to Wychnor church.

And then round the corner to a sneaky twist under the narrow lefthand arch of the bridge. I have been known to touch the side here but not today.

And then Wychnor lock with only one paddle in action. We're sure it was like this six years ago when we last came this way.

But here's the captain doing what she enjoys. Working the lock with someone to chat to.

Oh no! Another narrow bridge and one I have scraped through on many an occasion. Why have a wide canal with such a tiny bridge? (I do know the answer, it's cash, as always, it's cheaper to build a narrow bridge than a wider one.) But, again, this time straight through without a scrape.

And, no, we haven't got a drone, I am standing on the roof having stepped down onto the top while coming out of the lock. Mind you, I had to lie flat to get under the bridge. And, to put your minds at rest, there was a boat waiting to enter the lock, otherwise I would have closed the gates behind us. 

Our stopping place for the night at Branston Water Park. You may have guessed that from the photo.

An arty picture of sun shining on the righteous.

Moored up and then went for a walk around the park. Back to the boat for a fish supper and then to bed.

Sunday Roast

Had an early walk into Coton, about 3/4 of a mile, to the local shop for some milk and a few other bits. After that, weigh anchor, OK, OK, cast off the mooring lines and off we go.

A last look at the Tame Otter as we sail past. 

Surprisingly, on the immediate opposite bank is the Red Lion, also a very good pub. We've tried them both.

Ah, now that explains the popping sounds this morning. We are passing the firing range in Hopwas woods.

And just to confirm it all, the red flag is flying.

This is a very pleasant stretch of canal where it skirts around the edge of Whittington. It was along here that, some years ago, we spotted a Kota in one of the gardens. A few years later we bought our own Kota, a garden lodge made in Lapland by the Sami people. It is based on the demountable huts that they take with them when herding reindeer and has a cooking pit in the centre, seating around the walls, two of which can be made into beds. Ideal for barbecues. 

This is a view along the old Wyrley and Essington canal, now used only for moorings.

Almost opposite is the Plough Inn and, dare I say it, another of our favourites. Sounds like we're always going into pubs! Well, we have been on the canals for many years and, what else should one do? It would surely be rude to always sail past and not stop to support the local economy. 

Just passing Streethay Wharf. We've never stopped here but, once again, it's old-fashioned and supplies nearly everything you need for your boat.

There's always work in progress with C&RT. Here they are putting in temporary pilings which they will backfill with earth and sludge dredged out of the canal. As ferns and grasses get established this will strengthen the bank and restore the canal to its former width.

We've arrived at Fradley Junction but, before turning the corner, a top-up with water.

Round the bend, a realm I often frequent, in time to empty the loo and find a mooring for the night.

Now, what's the captain doing?

Only taking a picture of our boat on the other side of the canal.

Roast beef, roast potatoes, greens, beans and peas for supper. It took a while to cook - think I had the oven set too low - but it tasted delish!