The Plum Pudding, Armitage to Fradley Junction (Trent & Mersey Canal)

Lichfield Cathedral

Lovely Windows in Cathedral

Yesterday (Tuesday), we stayed put at the Plum Pudding and caught a bus to Lichfield.  We were hoping it was going to be a sunny day but as like the last time we went to Lichfield, it was overcast and spitting with rain.

We had a walk around the shops then walked over to the Cathedral and did a cache just in the Cathedral grounds then went inside.  It is really lovely and there was also an exhibition about the First World War which was interesting.

Lichfield

We then walked back into the town and had lunch in The Tudor café.  They make their own tea cakes to their Grandmother’s 1936 recipe and very good they were too!

The Tudor Cafe

We had another wander around then got the bus back.  It is Kev’s birthday today and so we were going for a meal in the Plum Pudding which is an Italian restaurant and our friends from Audlem, Jane, Malc, Dave and Anthea were joining us, but Kev didn’t know they were coming so it was a nice surprise for him when they turned up.  We have a lovely evening chatting and catching up and the food and service was excellent.

With our Audlem Friends

They then all came back to the boat for a coffee and some ginger cake which I had made for Kev’s birthday.  It was quite a way for them to come so it was really nice they made the effort and great to see them as always and they gave Kev a bottle of Copper House Gin which is one of his favourites so he will enjoy that.

In Wood End Lock

Going down Fradley Locks

Passing the Coventry Canal

Today, we are off a few miles down the canal and the sun was actually shining and it was warm for a change.  We set off along the canal and after a few miles came to Wood End lock which is not very deep, so we were soon through there and on our way.

We were hoping to moor at the top of the next locks, but it was full so we had to go down the three locks, but there were volunteer lock keepers on the locks so it was an easy passage.  We were now at Fradley Junction where the Trent & Mersey canal meets the Coventry canal.

In Junction Lock

Fradley Pool

We thought there would be plenty of spaces below the locks, but were told by the volunteers that there was only one space but luckily no other boats came and we moored up there.

We had lunch then went for a walk around the nature reserve called Fradley Pool then called in at the café to get an ice-cream and walked back down the canal.  We had a coffee at the other café and sat in the sun watching the boats go by then back to the boat.

We are staying here tonight and also tomorrow then going on a bit further on Friday.

Moored at Fradley Junction