Weston upon Trent

Having enjoyed a day of rest at the pig farm moorings, it was time to move on again. Our target destination today was Weston upon Trent. We had two locks to navigate before arriving at Great Haywood Junction. This is where the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal departs the Trent and Mersey heading for Stourport. There was a short delay at one of the locks due to pirates attempting to kidnap the crew.

       

We pulled in at the service block at Great Haywood for water, resisting the temptation of ice creams from the nearby farm shop. 

       

                                               Great Haywood Junction filling the water tank.

Moving on beyond the junction we were now travelling on new waters. We had a short wait due to a queue at Hoo Mill Lock. This lock has an interesting feature. The bridge crossing the lock has a gap in the middle, which was designed to allow the boats being towed by horse, to pass through without the need to remove the rope, thereby saving time and effort.

       

                                                                  Hoo Mill Lock.

       

                                                Footbridge with the rope gap in the centre.

The moorings on the approach to Weston upon Trent were full when we arrived, which was not surprising as it was lunchtime. We passed through the village a found a spot just before bridge 81. It was ideal. There was a boat length of clearing in the reeds, which means no neighbours. It also has good views and the bridge ahead joins a track which leads directly to the Saracens Head P.H. for Sunday lunch tomorrow.

       

This spot has now been marked in our guide book as a favoured spot for future use when we travel this way. This afternoon we took advantage of the good weather to touch up a few areas on the boat that needed attention.

Totals 6 Miles 4 Locks

Running total 242 Miles 149 Locks 12 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

Whittington

We have spent the past week at Achernar's home port of Glascote Basin in Tamworth. We were there for a Hudson owners gathering, which primarily took place over the weekend. By Friday lunchtime the basin was filling up nicely, and the small marquee which would house the beer had been erected. We ended up with 21 Hudsons present which represents about 10 percent of the total number built. On Saturday we were treated to a boat trip in Emu, a former working boat painted in the red and green. Later we had a barbecue which our hosts, Sarah and the Norton Canes staff also attended. It was good to see some familiar faces as some of the staff are former members of Hudson boatbuilders. Sunday started quieter, as people were slightly jaded from the consumption of the previous night, but ended with Chinese takeaway and more beer.

       

       

       

Most owners departed on Monday, however we opted for one more night in the basin. Today we filled with water and diesel, took on a bottle of gas, and pumped out the waste tank. The entrance to the basin is on a slight angle to the canal, and for boats wishing to head north it is better to reverse out, fortunately the wind was light. We descended the two Glascote locks fairly quickly and were soon on our way. We passed Fazeley Junction and the canal which leads towards Birmingham. Soon we were out of the built up area of Tamworth, and the canal began meandering through the countryside. Once beyond the village of Whittington we found our mooring spot and settled down to lunch. We will stay here a while as the crew are planning to abandon ship again at the weekend. 

Totals 7 Miles 2 Locks

Running total 222 Miles 142 Locks 12 Tunnels

Glascote Basin

No blog was completed yesterday due to the extreme heat, which made doing anything other than drinking cold beer, unbearable. We had departed our mooring a mile outside Polesworth soon after breakfast. Nb. Neston had already moved off by the time we were up. We passed them again a mile further along the cut. As we were approaching Tamworth it was getting close to midday, and the heat was rising by the hour. Soon we were on the approach to Glascote Locks. The entrance to the basin is a sharp right turn beneath a bridge. We gave one long blast on the klaxon to announce our arrival and slipped into the dock. As we manoeuvred onto our mooring, we took extra special care not to bump the boat ahead of us. This was nb. Barolo No.3 fresh from the paint shop, resplendent in her new colours. The basin has been taken over by Norton Canes Boatbuilders and is managed by Sarah who has kindly allowed this forthcoming gathering of Hudson boats to take place.

       

Today, slightly cooler conditions allowed for the required washing and polishing. A check of the fenders followed, as drooping fenders is considered a crime at these events. Several more Hudsons arrived during the day including nb. Lydia May which is painted in the colours of Cadbury Bournville and is now breasted alongside us. The basin is starting to fill up with only another ten more boats to somehow shoehorn in.

       

We will be here now whether we like it or not until Monday, as once the basin is full nothing is moving again until the end of the event. Whilst here I will perform a few engine maintenance tasks, well at least until the cold beer makes another appearance.

Totals 5 Miles

Running total 215 Miles 140 Locks 12 Tunnels

Polesworth, Bridge 50 Coventry Canal.

At 09.30 hrs we eased away from our mooring, for the short three minute journey to Springwood Haven Marina to use their services. For the past few days, whenever we have walked past the service pontoon it has been empty. Not today. As we rounded the bend we saw three boats already there, and another coming the other way, which we just beat into fourth position. Add to that the pump out machine was playing up, so we had a bit of a delay. Anyway, by 1130 hrs we were on our way towards Atherstone, and its flight of eleven locks. The top lock as is usual was manned by a lockeeper, but as we passed through we could see two further boats ahead descending the flight, with nothing coming the other way. All the locks would be set against us. We had planned to stop after five locks in one of the long pounds for lunch, but in the end decided to push on. Once down the flight it was only twenty minutes or so to our intended spot. It ticks all the boxes, rural, satellite and phone signal, wide grassy towpath, good views and today, sunny. This will be a good spot to wash and polish the boat and brass before it returns to its home port at Glascote Basin on Tuesday next week.

 

       

Totals 7 Miles 11 Locks

Running total 210 Miles 140 Locks 12 Tunnels

Caldecote Hill, Bridge 27 Coventry Canal.

Having spent an enjoyable few days at Hawkesbury Junction it was time to move off. Just as we were preparing to depart, nb Neston passed us and moored a hundred yards ahead. I expect we will be playing leap frog with them for the next week, all the way to Glascote Basin. We stopped on the water point, just prior to the stop lock and filled with water. In the time we were there, four boats passed through the lock, which lowers you from the Oxford Canal onto the Coventry Canal, a drop of about 1 foot. We navigated through the junction, passing the Greyhound P.H. where we enjoyed Sunday lunch, and joined the Coventry Canal heading towards Nuneaton. The rain had been threatening for some time, and just as we approached Nuneaton, the clouds burst. For about ten minutes it felt like we were in a tropical storm, it was torrential. As quickly as the rain came, so it disappeared, and the sun came out. In no time, everything, including myself and the crew were dry again. Nuneaton seems to have cleaned up its act, as the canal was reasonably rubbish free, which was not the case on previous journeys. We passed through the town and head back into open countryside, arriving at our mooring spot just prior to Springwood Haven Marina. This is a nice rural spot and we were alone. We joked about how long it would last. It was twenty minutes. Still never mind, as we are staying put for a few days. After lunch we walked to the marina to check out the services, as we will need these when we depart on Thursday or Friday.

       

Totals 8 Miles 1 Lock

Running totals 203 Miles 129 Locks 12 Tunnels