The Blue Bell Cider House, Waring's Green to Hockley Heath (Stratford Canal)

Decided to chug on this morning, but only going 2 miles down the canal to Hockley Heath, that’s far enough for us for one day!

We stopped at Warings Wharf to get some gas and use the Elsan and get rid of the rubbish.   The caretaker, Marianne, who runs the wharf with her husband is a really friendly lady and unbelievably she comes from Cheddar and he comes from Rodney Stoke!   She asked me where I came from because of my accent and when I said Sandford, that’s when we got chatting and I said my mum lives in Cheddar and my dad is a Cheddar man.   Her Grandmother lived not far from mine and her dad went to the local school in Cheddar, probably the same school as my dad and she has relatives with the name Hale, my family name, what a small world it is! 

Sign at Bridge 20 for Wedge's Bakery

The sun was shining and it was nice and warm as we set off from the Wharf,  through Bridge 20 where you can stop to visit Wedge’s Bakery as it is just up over the bridge, but we resisted the temptation to go again, trying to think of our waistlines, and we still have some goodies left that we bought yesterday, so not really thinking of our waistlines that much, sounded good though!

Going under the M42 Bridge

Under the M42 Bridge and a few more bridges, then we were at Hockley Heath and we moored up.

We walked up the road to the few shops, a post office, a convenience store, a butchers and a few others which are on a busy road.  There is also a McLaren Garage with a Formula I car in the window and a Rolls Royce garage, very posh garages for a small village, we were told by the chap at the Wharf that there were a lot of millionaires in this area so that probably explains it!

Wharf Tavern & disused arm

There is a really nice pub as well called the Miller & Carter Steakhouse so we went in for a drink.

There is also a pub on the canal called The Wharf Tavern, but we passed by that one as we went in there the last time we were here.  By the pub there is a tiny arm that used to lead to a coal yard but is now part of the pub garden.

We are staying here tonight, then we will move on tomorrow where the Lapworth flight awaits! 

Moored at Hockley Heath