Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 August 2011

Wheaton Aston Shropshire Union Canal, to Autherley Junction, and onto Dimmingsdale Lock, Staffs and Worces Canal

Before leaving Wheaton Aston, we purchased diesel from Turners Garage in the village. They supply red diesel at a very good price, (today it is 70.9p a litre), and in a very cheerful and efficient way. A fuel pipe extends down the canal bank, and many boaters like us go there just for the good fuel deal. Boats start arriving from 7.30 in the morning!

After refuelling we turned round and headed back towards Autherley Junction once again. The boat has spent a fair bit of time up and down this stretch recently, but we turned right onto the Staffs and Worcester, and new water. The initial start today (Thur) was misty, and very cold out of the sun, almost necessitating gloves, which is ridiculous in August! but the trees are turning to peachy red and orange already.

Our plan today was to stop and visit Wightwick Manor and gardens (NT) - the dog dragged us around the gardens, very neat, formal borders, wild orchards, ponds, kitchen and Caribbean herb gardens. Theodore Mander (paints) commissioned the house for his son Geoffrey in 1887. The interior of the house is filled with Wm Morris furnishings, and pre Raphaelite paintings. We look forward to seeing these on our return in a few days.

Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 August 2011

Gailey Lock  Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal to Wheaton Aston, Shropshire Union Canal

Fantastic early morning sun, both days, and barometer definitely on the rise! Ddisappointment when we tried to have a pub lunch, unwelcoming staff, cost of  beer, and a long wait to give our food order, we returned to the boat and saved our pennies - nay several pounds for another day.

Stayed put for the rest of Tuesday, painting and reading. Tested the heating system, as it is obvious that it will not be long before we shall need it .It worked fine - phew!

This was a nice quiet mooring until the late afternoon, and the lemming instinct took over.

We had expected rain today (Wed), that is according to the professionals, but no, a pleasant warm, and sunny day, everybody happy.

The stop lock as we waited to turn onto the Shropshire Union, was a bottleneck, goodness knows what it is like on a busy turnround day with the adjacent hire boat base in full swing. The insignifitant difference in water levels the lock made, suggests that the gates could be left open.

Spot the Difference!

Sunday 21 August 2011

From Park Gate Lock, Teddesley, to below Gailey Lock, Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal

A lovely summers day, and plenty of boats moving. As we approached Penkridge, we spotted a boating acquaintance from a month or so ago, who we recall very bravely changed her engine mountings alongside the towpath! She bravely said the mountings were still bedding in!

We managed to get water in Penkridge, though had to be patient. On to Gailey - the locks are dotted every couple of miles or so, and boats seemed perfectly timed to go up and down, without wasting water or energy. We stopped for lunch and didn't move on - did some boat painting instead!

Saturday 20 August 2011

From Shugborough Hall, Trent and Mersey Canal to Park Gate Lock, Penkridge, Staffs and Worcestershire Canal

As often happens when you gently pull away from your mooring, a boat in front of you suddenly loosens its ropes and somehow just doesn't see you and moves out in front! Today was one of those days, and as we left the very familiar view of Shugborough Hall and approached the lock below Great Haywood junction, we found 3 boats queueing ahead of us. Amazingly, at least 6 boats came out of nowhere, and patiently lined up behind us, to use the lock. Through the lock, a swift farewell to September Pearl, and a sharp left turn onto the Staffs and Worcestershire canal, aiming to get to Penkridge and the chandlers before closing.

On our way, we passed a, by now, familiar hotel boat, but no passengers. Mystifying, as the boat looks really well looked after.

We made Penkridge in good time, and the chandlers had the filters we needed and also a large dog life jacket. Next project is to persuade the dog to keep it on!

This stretch is not new to us, as we had a hire boat from Gailey some 4 years ago, but do not recall the offside weeds and reeds reducing the navigable path to just wide enough for one boat, in places.

Thursday 18 and Friday 19 August 2011

From Shugborough Hall to Shugborough Hall, Trent and Mersey Canal

Well, well, well - the forecast was a little different from the reality. Just a few spots of rain, not the deluge we had braced ourselves for. Our mooring alongside the Shugborough estate is so quiet and pleasant, all we have managed to do is go down the canal and turn around, and return. We carefully passed this superbly painted tug- style boat on the way. It looked rather vulnerable to being clouted by less careful boats.

We certainly know the gardens at Shugborough very well now and managed to include a visit to the walled fruit and vegetable garden this time, including Blacksmith's shop. Unfortunately, we were unable to purchase and veg today. We did spot a fallow deer as we made our way along the driveway. 

An evening picnic and al fresco film (Dirty Dancing), shown in the estate gardens did not even disturb us - pity that the evening was so chilly for the ticket payers.

Very autumnal feel to the start and end of the day.

Wednesday 17 August 2011

From Weston on Trent to Great Haywood, Trent and Mersey

Good to be afloat again, and life has definitely resumed some normality as we went to the Saracens Head for lunch, and whilst we were there, received a text from some friends (ex hotelboat guests in fact!) aboard N/b "September Pearl", suggesting we meet in Great Haywood today. So, with a sense of purpose we turned the boat around again, and headed south back down the Trent and Mersey canal. Lots of moving boats in both directions, so a few moments spent at the locks, and we meet up at a rather familiar spot ,just opposite Shugborough Hall. Lovely autumn sunshine, and of course, another pub lunch, this time in the garden of the Clifford Arms, that was also a tad familiar!

We all then set off to find some caves, shown on the canal guide, which we thought to be adjacent to the canal. Alas no - but all was not lost, as we asked some other walkers ( N/b "Forever Young"), if they knew where the caves were. A swift clicking of keys on their mobile phone and the internet revealed the location of the caves between Great and Little Haywood. As we  were so close we persevered, and found that the caves were in fact an old sand stone quarry, now very overgrown, that had clearly been substantial workings, from the mid 19th century, providing materials for building bridges. Unlike previous visitors, we did not add to the graffiti on the smooth quarry walls.

A really pleasant August day - we are bracing ourselves for a ghastly wet day tomorrow. How can two days be so different?

Monday 15th August 2011

Baswich (Staffs & Worcs Canal) to Weston Upon Trent (Trent & Mersey Canal)

We spent a very pleasant evening just below Deptmore Lock last night, with only cows, bats and a quiet but constant drone from the distant M6 keeping us company.

Today we did the final section of the Staffs & Worcs Canal along to Great Haywood Junction. This was a canal of contrasts, from twisty turns and narrow channels through the weeds, to the almost lake like Tixall Wide.

We then turned north onto the Trent & Mersey Canal yet again.

The weather has been very hot today, though accompanied by the odd breeze at inconvenient moments - I sometimes wonder why canal boats are not fitted with sails - the smallest gust can easily shift them several yards sideways!

We've now completed this journey, and are currently moored by a pub at Weston Upon Trent.

It's been a great exploration of the "Four Counties" canals.

9.5 miles and 3 locks today; 140 miles and 95 locks altogether.