Penkridge to Bridge 94 (Staffordshire & Worcester Canal)

Penkridge Market

Yesterday we stayed in Penkridge, so we had breakfast then we set off down to the bridge and up onto the road and walked into Penkridge village, it’s about a 10 minute walk from the canal.

Penkridge Church

Penkridge

It’s a nice village with quite a few shops.  Today there was a market so we headed for that, it was really good and quite a big market, some stalls outside and some inside.  There was the usual mix of stalls and a couple of nice fruit and veg stalls where we bought a few things including local rhubarb and strawberries.  

Penkridge Market

We browsed around the market for a while then had a look around the shops and found a great Bakers and a Butchers.  We also had a walk to the church but there was a lunch club being held there so we didn't venture right in, but did have a peek and it looked really nice.

We went for a some lunch in one of the cafes then headed back to the boat.  We then had a few showers but we were in the boat so we didn’t get wet.  We are staying here tonight then headed on tomorrow. 

We are moving on today but have to stop at the services just before the Penkridge lock to fill up with water, etc.  It was dry when we set off but very overcast and while we were getting water, it started to rain, but we decided to go on anyway and hope it would pass over.

In Penkridge Lock

The River Penk runs through Penkridge and is on high alert for flooding at the moment and some of the fields near the canal as we were chugging today were filling up with water, let’s hope we don’t get too much more rain!

And it's raining!!

We went through Penkridge lock and onto Longford lock and it carried on raining then it eased off then a few minutes later got heavier again.  There was a boat in front of us so we kept catching them up at the lock and helping them through then getting ourselves through.

Out of another lock we go

Under the M6

We chugged on in the rain and as we got to the M6 Motorway bridge where we had sheltered the other day when out walking, the rain got really heavy for a bit so we sheltered under there again but this time in the boat!

Passing Midland Chandlers

When it got lighter, we carried on to the next lock which is by Midland Chandlers where we walked to the other day. We helped the boat in front again then set it for ourselves and went through.

Waiting for the lock and it's still raining!

We then came to our last lock for today, Shutt Hill Lock, this lock is not very deep so we were soon through there and there was a boat coming up so that was good.  

Passing Acton Trussell

It was still raining and we were soaked by now, but we chugged on, past Acton Trussell where we moor sometimes and on to just before Bridge 94 where it is really open so we moored up there.

Not long after we had stopped, the sun came out, typical!!  We put the central heating on to dry us and our clothes and shoes out and the sun helped as well.  The sun stayed for a while but has gone cloudy again so maybe more rain is on its way.

We just dried out and then chilled out this afternoon.  Staying here tonight then moving a short distance tomorrow but only if it is dry, we are not chugging in the rain again, it’s against our principles!!

Moored at Bridge 94 and the sun is finally out!