The Final Countdown: Day 9

It’s always great to see Catherine, Nigel, and Matthew, and yesterday evening was no exception.  We last saw them in Chester, so we were also interested to hear how Grace was getting on at uni there.  It’s even better when no-one has to travel further than a few boat-lengths down the towpath to get home.

This morning we set off about 8.30, with Adrian walking down to Filance Lock and finding a boat just coming out.  We went onto the service point above Penkridge Lock to fill the tank and get some washing going.  While we were there, a boat went down the lock and we followed shortly afterwards.

As we had a boat ahead, the next few locks all needed turning.  The M6 makes its presence felt, and before it goes over the canal you can both see and hear it.

At Park Gate Lock, Adrian set the lock filling and then went to the chandlery to get some coal.  They had only two bags left so we got them both, along with some more logs.  They delivered them to the lock side so they could be stowed on the well deck before we went down.

At Shutt Hill Lock, a dog walker on the towpath said his dog had found a tiny kitten, which appeared to be living in the hedgerow.  There was no sign of it after it had disappeared down a hole.  We’d been planning to stop above Deptmore Lock, but it was a lovely sunny day and we were making good progress so we decided we’d carry on.  Of course coming round the corner to the lock we found ourselves in a queue!  There was a boat coming up, one ahead of us to go down (a different one from the boat we knew about), and then another arrived behind us.  The views from the lock are great.

We made our way round Baswich and Stafford, having lunch on the move.  The wind got up a bit, but it was still pleasant enough.  Tixall Lock is a toddler at only 4ft-something deep, compared with all the others which are 9 or ten feel deep.  The cottage is pretty too.

We wanted a mooring at Tixall Wide, which always looks rather special.

In the wide itself, the wind was howling across, making waves on the water.  We picked  spot where we have views both sides.  It has calmed down a bit, thankfully.  Tomorrow we might have a day off, having done all of 5 hours today!

9 miles, 7 locks.  (60 miles, 41 locks)

The Final Countdown: Day 8

We were off at 8.30 on a gloomy, blustery morning which even threw in some unforecast showers.  The canal is pretty twisty right after our mooring, and there’s also work going on possibly for a new development, just before Gailey.  Gailey Lock was the first of the day, overlooked by the Roundhouse.

Below the lock, a boat was making to set off from the moorings just as I left the lock — but fortunately they failed to get their act together before I slipped past!  Brick Kiln Lock needed filling, but Bogg’s Lock was already full.  Rodbaston Lock, right by the M6, was also full.  It’s one with a little bridge at the tail.

A boat had just come up Otherton Lock when we got there, so that was handy.  We made a very brief stop at Otherton Boat Haven — brief because we were after coal, and they were waiting for a delivery.  We carried on into Penkridge wanting to moor between Filnce Bridge and Filance Lock.  The options were a little limited thanks to the poor state of the piling here, but a boat was about to leave so we hung around until he was ready.  Even so, I’ve had to swap the mooring hooks for chains, because each time a boat went past the hooks got jammed further into the piling.

This afternoon, my cousin Catherine, Nigel, and Matthew have arrived in their share boat, Rowington.  They let us know when they were at Penkridge Lock and I walked down and got Filance Lock ready for them.  They’ve moored up, and will be coming round later for a chilli that’s been on the go all afternoon.

5 miles, 5 locks.  (51 miles, 34 locks)

The Final Countdown: Day 7

The clocks changed last night, so of course we were awake earlier than we might otherwise have been, so found ourselves setting off at about 8.15.  It rained on and off for the three miles down to Autherley Junction, and the rain was cold too.  We had a boat in front of us but he stopped at the water point, and a boat was coming out of the lock so left the gate for us.  The rise is all of a couple of inches.

There was a squirrel sitting on one of the fence posts of the bin compound by the lock, eating something out of silver paper.  He disappeared at the sight of a camera.  Once up the lock, we turned left onto the Staffs and Worcs towards Great Haywood.

Past the housing estates, we reached Pendeford Rockin’, the narrows through the rock.  We’d already seen one boat before getting there, and fortunately we met nothing while we went through.  Last time we were here it was sweltering; this time was very autumnal.

Past The Anchor at Coven was a sizeable fishing match occupying all the visitor moorings, so it’s just as well we’d decided it was too early to stop there.  We carried on through the S&W’s twists and turns, plus some difficult bridges, and eventually got to Hatherton Junction, where the canal makes a sharp left, and the marina in what’s left of the Hatherton Canal is off to the right.

As soon as we’d made the turn we moored on the piling opposite the other marina.  It’s not the most scenic spot, but it’s nice enough.  It’s been raining on and off all afternoon, so we’ve not done much at all.

9 miles, 1 lock.  (46 miles, 29 locks)

The Final Countdown: Day 6

We had a lovely evening with Sharon and John last night, with plenty of good conversation and good food.  It was also amazing to see the progress they’ve made with Arlo the dog, who didn’t have the best start in life before they took him on.

This morning it was raining, so we thought we’d wait until it passed as it was then supposed to clear up.  Going outside, I was dismayed to see how many leaves were on the roof!

I cleared the towpath side of the roof, and did the other side later.  It was 9.30 before we set off, and were soon heading into the tiny Cowley Tunnel, which gave us an opportunity to see that our new headlight is very bright.

There are loads of lengths of moored boats on the way into Wheaton Aston, so it’s slow going.  One of the moorers by Bridge 26 has put on an impressive Halloween display.

At Wheaton Aston we stopped at the water point and got the washing machine going and the tank filling.  We could also get rid of rubbish and recycling.  By now, the rain showers had largely passed, and the sun was out.  It always seems windy at the lock there though.

There’s always plenty to see at Stretton Wharf — today, old boats up on the land.  And then there’s the excitement of going over the A5 on Stretton Aqueduct.

There are loads more moored boats at Brewood, so it’s another place that takes an age to get through.  I’m not sure whether the moss coating on one boat was neglect or a design choice.  Actually, I’m pretty sure I do know which it was!

We moored at the Brewood Park Farm moorings, just past Bridge 8.  We were last here in June.  I think the towpath hedge is lower now than it was then, so we have a nice view over the top.  This afternoon I’ve been finishing the article I started the other day, and sorting out photos to go with it.  It’s been sunny while we’ve been here, but very blustery.  Hopefully it’s blowing leaves off the roof rather than onto it.

10 miles, 1 lock.  (37 miles, 28 locks)

The Final Countdown: Day 5

A beautiful sunny morning, although pretty chilly.  We set off at 9, and immediately got lovely sun and bridge combinations.

Going along the Sheldon Embankment, the sun was straight ahead and it was impossible to see anything.

After Shebdon Wharf, there are lines and lines of boats on offside moorings.  Just when you think you’re done, there’s another lot.  At least the scenery was nice.

One boat had tyres out as protection, which gave the ducks somewhere to stand.  And at High Offley, a heron had taken up prime position.

On the approach to Norbury Junction there was a Let’s Fish event, with lots of people under instruction.  Every person had their own instructor; I guess it was staffed by a local fishing club.  Norbury Wharf looked lovely in the sunshine, although it was a bit of a slalom course because of all the moored boats in the basin.

I had to keep giving a blast of reverse to clear leaves off the prop.  It always seemed worse after each spell on tickover past moored boats; maybe the leaves stick easier when we’re going slowly.  It took about 3 hours to get to Gnosall, where there were masses of moorings available.  One of the houses opposite looks as though it’s not just having an extension, it’s being completely rebuilt.

This afternoon, Adrian has been doing work in his charity role.  I have made a cake to take with us as we’re out this evening.  We’ve been invited round to Sharon and John’s.  We shared Hatton Locks with them ten years ago, and have kept in touch.  There have been a few blustery showers, but it’s now brightened up again.

The latest Water Road podcast is out today, about the Ponty Aqueduct.  I reckon it’s a good one, so give it a listen by clicking here.

7 miles, 0 locks.  (27 miles, 27 locks)

The Final Countdown: Day 4

We had a lot of rain yesterday evening and overnight, and there was still some light stuff first thing this morning.  But by the time we were ready to set off at 8.30 it was pretty much dry.  Also, the forecast no longer said anything about 40mph winds at any stage in the day.  Within a little while we reached Tyrley Locks, the bottom one being in a cutting, and which could hardly have looked more autumnal.

All the locks were empty, which was good, bar the top one which needed a little water letting out.  One of the properties by the lock is for sale.

After the locks comes Woodseaves Cutting, home to tall bridges, lots of trees, some land slips, and rock cliffs.

You can’t go fast through here at the best of times, but at the moment all the leaves in the water make for very heavy going.  A few times, I had to do a blast of reverse to clear the leaves from the prop.  Once out of the cutting there are many stretches of offside moorings, so lots of travelling on tickover.  However, the skies were clearing behind us, and there were great views of The Wrekin off in the distance.

As it had all be quite slow going, we moored up on the moorings just before Knighton, at Bridge 47, just into Staffordshire.  There’s a typical Shroppie shelf that we keep banging against, even though we have the tyres deployed.  This afternoon, there have been a couple of very squally showers, with rain and gusty winds.  Adrian has been doing work in his charity role, while I’ve started writing an article I’ve been meaning to begin for a while.

6 miles, 5 locks.  (20 miles, 27 locks)

The Final Countdown: Day 3

Today was forecast to be the best day of the week — with tomorrow probably the worst, with possibly a storm coming through.  It was bright when we set off at 8.45, having got some washing under way already.  Adrian walked up to the two remaining Audlem Locks, both of which needed emptying.  Above there, we crossed into Shropshire, and the sun made seeing anything quite hard work; it did make the countryside look beautiful though.

Adderley Locks come fairly soon, and while the bottom one needed emptying we then met a boat coming down, and then a second downhill boat as we neared the top.

The stretch between Adderley and Market Drayton is not a favourite.  There’s a bit in a wood — and even the cutting is too shallow to be dramatic.  Then there’s a long line of offside moorings, then a bit of scrub land, and then a busy road to go under. What’s more, the sun had stayed north of us, while over us it was decidedly drizzly. We stopped on the Market Drayton water point to fill the tank, and the sun caught up with us, at least temporarily.

We were badly in need of logs for the fire, so pushed across to Talbot Wharf.  They don’t have much of their service mooring showing at the moment because of winter moorers, so we started with the bow in the gap so several bags of logs could be loaded on the well deck.  Their diesel price was 85p which seemed pretty good, so we thought we’d fill up too — so pushed the bow out alongside the moored boat so we could get the stern close to the pump.  Once all that was dealt with, we went through the bridge and moored up, almost opposite Jubilee.  We had lunch of some parsnip and apple soup I made yesterday afternoon, and later walked into town for a small top-up shop from Asda.

Today hasn’t been the sunny day forecast, and tomorrow’s forecast now doesn’t look so bad.  We’d thought about getting a few more miles under our belts today, just in case tomorrow really is stormy, but decided we’d stick to our plan and stay here for the night.

5 miles, 7 locks.  (14 miles, 22 locks)