Sunday saw us continue our journey north from Fradley. Not a brilliant day weather wise, but ok. After making use of the services, it was left at the junction and onto the Trent and Mersey once again. The single locks are still something of a novelty, they are just so quick and easy. The three locks leaving Fradley soon seemed behind us and we soon passing through that place that makes the bog's. No pictures as they are just so anal....darling.
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| A different picture from Armitage! |
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| Crossing the River Trent |
The canal here is still pleasant, with many a nice garden bordering the canal. The same with Rugeley. The canal here skirts the town and overlooks the rather infant river Trent and acts somewhat as a flood barrier. This has not stopped some new development on what must be the flood plane.
As we left the town and approached bridge 69, Taft bridge, there was a fuel boat moored adjacent to a smallholding. Whilst we were not in need, it looked popular, with diesel at 74p there is no wonder. One worth remembering. Under the same bridge there was an honesty box, for free range eggs at £1 per half dozen, so we purchased some.
Now closely following the Trent, we passed Little Heywood and moored a few hundred yards prior to Haywood lock. For the first time this year we saw boats in abundance actually moving. Our mooring overlooked Shugborough hall. Our evening meal in the Clifford arms was fine as was the beer, and cheap! So we ended the day happy...
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| The brickwork on this barn is lovely, it would make into a lovely barn conversion! |
Locks 3
Monday was something of a rest day. We had decided to visit the Shugborough estate and house. As it did not open until late morning we chilled out for a while, having a wander to the local farm shop. The MIFI was not happy in this location, barely picking up a signal.
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| Essex Bridge over the River Trent |
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| Shugborough Hall |
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| A folly |
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| The Chinese House |
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| The view of Shugborough from our mooring |
The hall grounds are rather nice, bounded by the rivers Trent and Sow. Our first port of call was the main house. I don't know what I expected, but we had a tour of Lord Patrick Lichfields private apartments, only very little that was his remains, as his family removed all his chattels upon his death. After this we visited the domestic quarters and gardens before strolling back to the boat late afternoon. We decided not to move on as not in a rush.
Today we left our moorings at eight, ascended the lock and then made the swift left turn onto the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal at Great Heywood junction. It was a cold start, a herald of days to come methinks.
Then through Tixall wide, which at this time was full of moored boats.The canal meanders along the Penk valley and is rather pleasant, with locks well spaced and easy to use. The small towns of Baswich and Penkridge were passed and we were soon in the shadow of the M6.
By 3pm we were approaching Gailey, as were the rain clouds. Spotting a decent mooring short of the lock we moored up and very soon after the heavens opened for a while. This is a nice spot and means our next hop should see us on the Shropshire union once again.
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| Our mooring tonight with the the Toll keepers watch tower in the distance |
Locks 12
We were in the exact same spot Friday before last.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are blogging again.
Armitage factory anal....I thought the chimney looked rather phalic!!
ReplyDeleteDisgusted of Mayfair.
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ReplyDeleteSurely that should be "Discusted of Paddo" :)
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