Coole Pilate

So after a week of relaxation, well doing maintenance tasks, today Saturday 26/5. was the day the crew returned to the boat. I winded in the entrance to Kings Orchard Marina and took the boat the short distance back to Huddlesford Junction where I winded again and took up a mooring close to the Plough PH. Not long after securing the boat the crew arrived and we had a spot of lunch in the pub. Then it was back to the boat for the short journey to Fradley. The moorings at Fradley are generally busy and we were lucky to find one spot vacant. The mooring area is tree lined and having moored here several times previously we know the one solitary spot where it is just possible to line up the satellite dish. Unfortunately we were not in that spot so there would be no telly that night. One last throw of the dice was to link the sky box to my phone hotspot and see what happened. Success, we had access to the on demand services and it later transpired that an evening of streaming tv only used 2.5 gigabytes of data allowance. After securing the boat we wandered off to the cafe close to the junction with four legs and had an ice cream each. Four legs ate his tub of vanilla ice cream really quickly and then thought he could have a lick of ours. He was wrong. The next day we set off early, well for us it was and passed through the swing bridge before turning left onto the Trent and Mersey Canal. We navigated three locks meeting a volunteer at the last, Wood End Lock.  

Trent and Mersey ahead    

Looking back at Fradley Junction

  Passing through Armitage famous for its toilets, we navigated the narrow ex tunnel which is now missing its roof. The crew hopped off the boat here to stop any oncoming traffic as this narrow is single way working only. Shortly afterwards we arrived at Rugeley and took a mooring near bridge 66. This was only to be a short stop to allow the crew to replenish supplies at the adjacent Tesco store. Next stop was to be Taft Bridge 69 by the pig farm and diesel barge. We found a spot on a solitary stretch of piling just long enough for one boat, so no neighbours. Monday 28/5. Our destination was Stafford Boat Club. We were not going to stay at the boat club moorings as previously, but we do know there is nice mooring just beyond Hazlestrine bridge by the club. First we navigated the two miles and two locks to Great Haywood Junction. We stopped for water then made our turn from the Trent and Mersey onto the the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. It was close to lunch and so we moored for a short period at Tixall Wide. After lunch we continued the remaining six miles and one lock to our chosen spot.   

   

Mooring Hazlestrine Bridge

  Tuesday 29/5. Would be a more gruelling day. Eleven miles and eleven locks would be the tally, and a lot of the journey would also include close proximity to the M6 motorway. We passed through Penkridge with its Midland Chandlers store situated right next to the canal, rather like placing sweets next to the checkout. We got through wallet intact. Just prior to Gailey near Boggs Lock we stopped briefly for lunch. Then in the afternoon continued on towards Coven our intended mooring spot. First we had to navigate a stretch of canal which passes by a chemical works. Warning signs are in abundance prohibiting any stopping or waiting for any reason. Holding our breath we passed to two to three hundred yards of unspecified hazard before arriving at the Hatherton Branch. One more mile and we moored for the night just beyond bridge 74, Moat House Bridge. Wednesday 30/5.  We travelled four miles to Autherley Junction navigating a very narrow cutting without meeting any opposing boats. We turned right onto the Shropshire Union and passed through Autherley stop lock. It was about now that the rain came so we took the opportunity to stop and fill with water waiting for the shower to pass. More ominous were the forecast thunderstorms that were impending, and we wanted to settled before they arrived. Initially we were aiming for the village of Brewood, but settled for a mooring between bridges 7 and 8. Thursday 31/5. No thunder or lightning came during the night, although we did think we heard the odd rumble in the distance. The forecast was similar, thunderstorms later in the day, but no rain before 2pm. Well the Met Office got that wrong. Literally within a minute of casting off the drizzle started. Fortunately it only lasted for a couple of miles and once beyond Brewood it stopped. At Wheaton Aston we pulled in to Turners Garage for diesel. Reportedly the cheapest on the entire canal network. Not sure about that but at 68.9 per litre we filled the tank to the brim. After that we trundled on until arriving at Norbury Junction. Here we moored within the five day section then wandered off to the Junction Inn for lunch. I had the steak and ale pie and it was huge. We later found out they do half a pie for lunch and this would have been plenty. We had planned to stay put for a day, but then we heard on the towpath telegraph about a stoppage at Audlem Locks. 

   

Views for side hatch Norbury Junction

Friday 1/6. We took four legs for a walk back to the village of Gnosall,  little over two miles away. As we had passed through the other day we had seen a nice pub and wanted to check it out. The Navigation PH is dog friendly and the food was very good. The walk between Gnosall and Norbury takes you along the Shelmore Embankment, and the towpath is excellent for walking. Later in the evening the thunderstorms arrived. We had some torrential rain as the storms skirted around us, but an hour or so later it was all over. Saturday 2/6. The notice came through that Audlem Locks were open again, so we set off for Market Drayton. We had eleven miles to travel which included the five locks at Tyrley, and the very narrow and dank in places Woodseaves cutting. We also knew that friends of ours on Barolo No.3 were also at Market Drayton. We arrived just after lunch and then in the evening went with our friends to the Red Lion PH. This was my first visit here and they have a fine selection of ales. The food is also of a high quality and I can recommend the lamb shanks. On return to the boat we spotted this.

Cygnets getting a ride

  Sunday 3/6. We set off for a favourite location of ours just below Adderley Locks. If we were really lucky we would have it to ourselves. The weather was glorious and we had completed the four miles and five locks prior to lunchtime. At the top of the flight is a farm shop and there is a stall by the canal selling pies and cakes etc. Inside the fridge were some homemade pork pies, so a few purchases were made.

   

Mooring below Adderley Locks

A couple of years ago the crew spotted some otters in the early morning playing with a fish they had caught. No such luck on this occasion but the setting is perfect. Monday 4/6. Ahead of us were the fifteen Locks of the Audlem flight. The crew was going to be busy. As we passed a boat moored by the top lock we were told no boats had come up today. This meant that possibly all the locks would be against us. As we passed through Lock four we could see the repair that had been carried out a few days earlier. It seems a boat either broke or lifted out the heavy beam with the cast plate that protects the cill. It does not look much but it required some heavy lifting gear and substantial wedges hammering in to fix it.

  

Cill buffer beam

We moored at the bottom of the flight on pins and for the first time on this journey we encountered the 'shroppie shelf', a concrete shelf hidden below the water line that grinds on the hull every time another boat passes. Tuesday 5/6. We set off the short distance to Overwater Marina for services then took a pontoon mooring whilst we visited the cafe for brunch. I had some very tasty cheese oatcakes before departing for the moorings at Coole Pilate about a mile away. These moorings are a lovely setting but also have picnic tables and barbecues. The towpath is wide and grassy and will allow me to finish weatherproofing our boat plank and poles.

Mooring at Coole Pilate

We will spend a couple of days here before heading for Nantwich and an appointment with a dentist.

• Totals Saturday 26/5. 5 Miles
•           Sunday 27/5. 9 Miles 3 Locks
•           Monday 28/5. 8 Miles 3 Locks
•           Tuesday 29/5.11 Miles 11 Locks
•           Wednesday 30/5. 7 Miles 1 Lock
•           Thursday 31/5. 11 Miles 1 Lock 1 Tunnel 
•           Saturday 2/6. 11 Miles 5 Locks
•           Sunday 3/6. 4 Miles 5 Locks
•           Monday 4/6. 4 Miles 15 Locks
•           Tuesday 5/6. 2 Miles
•           Running total 197 Miles 76 Locks 6 Tunnels

 

Pig Farm, Bishton

Yesterday morning we moved a hundred yards along the mooring at Fradley to the water point, and then waited an hour for it to fill the tank. Still it allowed time for breakfast and rubbish disposal. Moving through the swing bridge operated by the grandson of one of the volunteer lock keepers, we turned left onto the Trent and Mersey Canal. 

       

                          Trent and Mersey Canal and the Mucky Duck P.H. in the foreground.

We had three locks to negotiate, the first two went without hitch. On arrival at the third, Wood End lock there was a queue. Three boats waiting to go up.

       

                                              Waiting our turn at Wood End Lock.

It was also a slow filler, as the ground paddle was out of action. Then to cap it all, a very large log jammed itself behind the top gate preventing it from being opened. Eventually after much prodding with boat poles, the log was removed and we made it into the lock. By now there was a growing queue both ways.

       

                                              Boats queueing with more approaching in the distance.

We then enjoyed a warm, but blustery cruise through the countryside towards Armitage, famous for its toilet factory and collapsed tunnel. This open air remains of a tunnel, requires a crew member to go ahead, to prevent opposing boats from entering, whilst navigating the narrow section. We had to wait here for a convoy of three to pass through, before we could proceed. Then onto Rugeley for our planned stop, to visit the nearby Tesco superstore for supplies. Just as we moored the rain started, so all in all it was good timing and a suitable lunch break. After the shopping, we had two more miles to go to our planned mooring spot, by the Pig Farm at Bishton. Again, we timed our arrival just right to miss the rain. We also once again have satellite TV reception. The farm at the moorings here supply free range eggs and diesel from a barge. Our tank is currently full, but at 59p a litre we may fill up here on our way back in late September. 

       

                                                              Pig Farm moorings.

       

                                     Rugeley power station ( decommissioned ) across the fields.

Today we walked up to bridge 70, ahead of our mooring spot to visit the Wolseley Arms P.H. Not bad food but not dog friendly, so no good during inclement weather. 

       

                                                These pub lunches are wearing me out.

Near to the pub were some antique shops located in a barn and surrounding courtyard buildings. We had a look round and managed to avoid getting the wallet out despite there being some nice items on display. Tomorrow we will move off and once we are beyond Great Haywood junction, we will be on new waters.

Totals 9 Miles 3 Locks

Running total 236 Miles 145 Locks 12 Tunnels

Fradley Junction

With the ships company back on board after their shore leave, today we set off for Fradley Junction. This where the detached section of the Coventry Canal meets with the Trent and Mersey Canal. After untying the ropes, taking care not to disturb the wasp nest buried in the towpath, we moved off passing Huddlesford Junction and the Plough Inn. The weather was partly sunny, but the wind was blustery, and as we passed Kings Orchard Marina I was glad we did not need to enter there for services. Last year when we visited, the wind held us against the service pontoon, and some high engine revs were needed to get us off it. Next it was the marina and boatyard at Streethay Wharf. Here the canal runs parallel to the very busy and noisy A38. We arrived at Fradley Junction around lunchtime and moored. This turned out to be just in time, as during the next 30 minutes the visitor moorings filled up. This time the sky satellite proved elusive, the trees must have grown since last year. After lunch we walked the four legged crew member, and disposed of some rubbish that had been accumulating in the gas locker. On the way back, stopping at the cafe in the CRT yard for cake. Tomorrow we plan to aim for the Pig Farm mooring just beyond Rugeley, once we have replenished supplies at the Tescos there.

Totals 5 Miles

Running total 227 Miles 142 Locks 12 Tunnels

Hartshill

Since our last post from Coven, we have been making good progress on our return journey. Wednesday 19/08 we set off for a mooring near to the village of Acton Trussell. We had 10 miles and 10 locks to navigate, whilst keeping an eye on the changing weather situation. No sooner had we secured the boat the rain came, we had timed it perfectly, which was a theme repeated during further legs of the trip. 

Thursday 20/08 our destination was to be Great Haywood. It meant passing through Tixall Wide, but we fancied having the grounds of Shugborough Hall as our backdrop. On route we passed Stafford Boat Club which had been our home for a week, on our way to Chester. As we entered Tixall Wide, we recognised a boat moored that we had seen several times over the past few days. 'Millie Rose' was one of Steve Hudsons final boats, and we had met the owner a couple of times on our way down the Shroppie. What we did not expect was to see the crew of 'Lowen' another Hudson boat popping out of the rear doors. We had not seen them for over a year since the last Hudson open weekend, so we made an unscheduled stop on the Wide for a catch up. About an hour later we resumed our journey to the junction with the Trent and Mersey, then turned right and descended the lock before mooring in front of Shugborough Hall as planned. 

Friday 21/08 our planned destination was Fradley Junction, but we saw an opportunity to extend the day and then have a rest day on Saturday. We passed the pig farm and fuel barge near Bishton which seems a popular mooring spot, then continued on through Rugeley and Armitage before arriving at Fradley. We descended the locks with the help of the volunteer lock keepers, and turned right onto the Coventry Canal. Our revised destination just prior to the village of Whittington, was a further five miles away. We secured the boat mid way between Huddlesford and Whittington, and decided that having foregone lunch, an early evening meal was called for at the Plough Inn. 

Saturday 22/08 was a warm, very humid day, and the furry crew member did not appear to be enjoying his walk in the heat. We therefore kept it short, simply collecting a few supplies from the co-op in the village, then returning to the boat to relax and attempt to keep cool. Later, we were treated to a brief thunder storm which cleared the air a little. 

Sunday 23/08 our aim was to reach Polesworth. We made good progress to Glascote where we had two locks to navigate. Both are renowned as slow to fill. The bottom lock takes 8 minutes and top lock 12 minutes. The Canal and River Trust are closing them on Wednesday to conduct an inspection and see what the problem is. After exiting the top lock we passed the entrance to Glascote Basin, our boats home port. This has now been taken over by Norton Canes Boatbuilders, so we popped in for a brief chat. Resuming our journey we passed through Polesworth, taking a mooring just prior to bridge 50. We were close to the main railway line here, but the mooring is shielded by a small hill making it quite a pleasant spot. 

     

      

                               The Icebreaker Lysander now converted to run on steam.

      

      

                                          Departing our mooring this morning at Polesworth.

Today we had the Atherstone flight of 11 locks to deal with. The rain was not expected to arrive until late in the afternoon. Just as we slipped our lines it began to drizzle. Fortunately it was short lived. We used the services at the base of the locks, then set off up the flight. The first two locks went without incident, but then we encountered very low water in the pound between locks 10 and 9. Someone who had gone through the flight at 6 am, had left a gate paddle raised which drained the pound by nearly a foot and a half. We travelled along the pound staying in the centre of the channel. The boat bumped along in a few spots, but entry into lock 9 proved impossible. We then spent about half an hour running water down the flight to raise the levels. After this the remainder of the flight was in our favour, and for the final four locks we had volunteer lockies helping. We passed the CRT yard at Hartshill, then Springwood Haven Marina. Our chosen spot was free and we moored up. Soon after the rain came and we were rapidly joined by another couple of boats.

Wednesday 19/08 totals 10 Miles 10 Locks

Thursday 20/08 totals 8 Miles 3 Locks

Friday 21/08 totals 17 Miles 4 Locks

Sunday 23/08 totals 12 Miles 2 Locks

Today's totals 6 Miles 11 Locks

Running total 499 Miles 245 Locks 18 Tunnels

Fradley Junction

 The conditions this morning when we set off were a little blustery to say the least. We were soon passing The Plough P.H. where we dined last night. We passed nb Ecky Thump on the visitor moorings, another boat from the Hudson stable. 

 As we approached Kings Orchard Marina the wind was gusting quite strongly, I suspected our entry into the marina for services might prove tricky. As it happened getting in was wind assisted, it was getting out again that proved challenging. So we had a pump out and filled with diesel and water. The diesel price here was 65p per litre for domestic use, which we thought quite good. We also met the new owners of nb Clara which had now departed Glascote Basin for her new home here at Kings Orchard.

 After leaving the marina it was only 2.5 miles to Fradley Junction. This is where the Coventry Canal (detached section) meets the Trent and Mersey Canal. As we approached the junction there were a couple of mooring spaces available and so we moored just in front of nb Wigrams Turn. After lunch we went for a walk to explore the area.

       

                                        Looking towards the Trent and Mersey Canal.

The pub in the background is The Swan, also known as 'The Mucky Duck'. It seems to be the perfect spot for some boat watching. Beyond the junction there were not many available mooring spots so stopping where we did proved to be a good shout.

     

             A historic Fellows Morton and Clayton working boat.( Note the action shot, duck in flight)

We walked down the flight of locks and noticed an unusual design of balance beam. Due to the locks being so close to the bridge, full length beams would be too long, so these are short stubby ones.

      

I suspect they will be more awkward to open, but I am sure the crew will manage. Returning up the flight we stopped for tea and cake in a cafe, before returning to the boat and a proper catch up chat with nb Wigrams Turn.

     

                                          Some information on Fradley Junction.

We will stay here for another day and then set off, turning left on the Trent and Mersey heading north generally towards Stafford.

Totals 5 Miles