Norbury Junction

Slipping away from our mooring at Market Drayton by 8 we soon arrived at the Tyrley Locks. This flight also consists of five locks, and as yesterday, all were in our favour. As can be seen from the photo below, the lock gates at this flight leak like a sieve. You would think the paddles were raised already with the amount of water flooding through the top gate.

       

The bottom of this flight is located within a wooded cutting, but as we ascended we emerged into bright sunshine. We have to keep an eye on the furry crew member. He has realised that if the hoop of his lead is simply placed over the small bollards he can with a bit of jiggery-pokery lift his lead off himself.

       

Having arrived at the top of the flight we now only have one more lock to navigate on the Shroppie. We met a couple of boats as we passed through Woodseaves Cutting so rather than rub sides with them we stopped at a wider section allowing them to pass. When about half way through the cutting we passed the location of a recently fallen beech tree. Reports were that a couple of weeks ago, chaos ensued as the cutting was blocked with dozens of boats stuck for a couple of days at the busiest time of the year. Little of the wood remained so we suspect a few liveaboard boaters have stocked up with fuel for the winter. Our next obstacle was a fishing competition, consisting of 75 fishermen spread out along a mile and a half of the canal. Boats coming the other way informed us they were very grumpy, but we acknowledged each of them as we passed and found them ok. It was like receiving a royal salute, as fishing poles were raised in turn to allow our passage. On arrival at Norbury Junction we were lucky to find a spot prior to the bridge and service yard. Our journey had taken five hours and it was now lunchtime. The Junction Inn was serving a Sunday roast and also had a decent selection of vegetarian options for the crew. We plan to fill with diesel at Norbury Wharf at 59p a litre. It is a penny a litre dearer than Wheaton Aston but the fuel filler is on the correct side here. Tomorrow we are aiming for Brewood.

Totals 11 Miles 5 Locks

Running total 425 Miles 213 Locks 17 Tunnels

Market Drayton

Summer certainly arrived this morning with not a cloud in the sky. We set off shortly before nine, Oscar wearing his sun hat for the day. A mile later we were passing under High Bridge with its unusual masonry strut to carry a short telegraph pole.

       

Passing Anchor Bridge and its associated public house we noted the moorings here were very nice and with refreshments close by its the perfect location. The prime spot was currently taken by another blog writer, nb Armadillo who can be found in my blog list. Once we had passed over the Shebdon Embankment we crossed from Staffordshire into Shropshire. Looking out to the West we could see the Shropshire plain with its solitary hill ' The Wrekin ' some 15 miles away.

     

We entered Woodseaves Cutting, 100 feet deep in places, and very steep sided. There were strange looking ferns and mosses clinging to the sandstone. Very narrow but with a few passing places, we were fortunate not to meet any on coming boats. I would not want to have been one of the navvies having to dig my way through that.

      

      

                                       High arched stone bridges in Woodseaves Cutting.

After emerging from the depths of what seemed like a tropical forest we arrived at Tyrley Locks. There were five to navigate, before reaching the bottom of the flight, and the final run into Market Drayton.

      

                                     I nearly got wet standing on the back with this one.

      

On leaving the bottom lock there is a very strong by wash as can be seen from the turbulent water on the right of the photo. A shield has been placed over it presumably to prevent it washing away the sandstone as can be seen on the left, where a small hollow has been cut into the rock.

As we passed out of this final cutting it felt as if we were being watched. 

                      

A mile later we arrived at the visitor moorings for Market Drayton. We will probably explore the town tomorrow and then depart on Saturday as the mooring here is for 48 hours only. We have been told of some good rural moorings by the next flight of locks at Adderley, only two miles away.

Totals 11 Miles 5 Locks

Running total 262 Miles 106 Locks 11 Tunnels