Rugeley to Wolseley Bridge - Trent & Mersey Canal

Yesterday (Tuesday), we stayed put and did some shopping and went for a walk.

Round The Bend We Go

Coming to the Aqueduct

This morning we are on the move just a few miles to Wolseley Bridge and the sun was shining as we set off.

Passing "our Bench" in the Nature Reserve

Passing NB  Dexta

We chugged on along the canal and over the aqueduct.  The canal was quiet today and we didn’t see many boats.  The River Trent runs alongside the canal and we passed the bench we sit on when we visit the Nature Reserve which is the other side of the River Trent.

We passed NB Dexta the diesel boat, under the bridge and moored up at Wolseley Bridge.

Bank Vole

Bird Feeders in Nature Reserve

Greenfinches

Heron in the River Trent

We had lunch, then walked up to the nature reserve and had a nice walk around there, it was a lovely sunny afternoon.  We went into the bird hide and watched the birds on the feeders, two Greenfinches, some Blue Tits, a Robin and a Chaffinch.  We then walked on through the reserve and watched the Bank Voles running around their home which is a big pile of wood and even saw a Heron standing in the River Trent so plenty of wild life around today.

Next to the Nature Reserve is a garden centre so we popped in there and had a wander around, had a coffee in the café then walked back to the boat.

We are staying here tonight then off back to Great Haywood tomorrow.

Moored at Wolseley Bridge

Plum Pudding, Armitage to Rugeley - Trent & Mersey Canal

Monday 29^th October

Getting Diesel from Auriga

Going Under Road Bridge

We are on the move today after a weekend moored outside the Plum Pudding Italian Restaurant as I went back to Weston last week to visit family.  I came back on Saturday and got the bus from Stafford back to Armitage where the Plum Pudding is.  We had Sunday lunch there and it was excellent, it’s a great place and well worth a visit. Sunday morning the diesel boat Auriga came past so we stopped him and got some diesel, he’s a very friendly chap and we shall definitely use him again.

Armitage Tunnel

Passing Rugeley Power Station

We are only going a couple of miles today to Rugeley and the sun was shining as we set off but quite chilly.  We approached Armitage tunnel which used to have a roof but it was removed some years ago, it is very narrow and no room to pass but we didn’t meet any boats today so we were soon through there and then stopped at the water point to fill up the tank.

Another Nice Morning

Passing Auriga

Coming Into Rugeley

We then went on our way under a few bridges and we passed a few boats coming the other way.  We were approaching the railway bridge near Rugeley and coming the other way was the Auriga the diesel boat, we passed okay and then we were at Rugeley where we moored up.

We spent the afternoon shopping, it’s a good place to stock up on supplies.

We are staying here for a couple of days now and chugging off on Wednesday.  The old Power Station at Rugeley is going to be knocked down to make way for new houses, so when we come back down this way again which probably won't be for a year or two, it will be gone, it is such an iconic sight and you can see it for quite a distance so you always know when you are getting to Rugeley when the towers come into view, it won't be quite the same when they are gone.

An Iconic Sight

Fradley (before Swing Bridge) - Coventry Canal to Handsacre - Trent & Mersey Canal

It was another dry sunny day when we got up.  We did the washing and filled the tank with water as we were moored near a tap and our hose pipe just reached so that was lucky as we didn't have to move up to the water point.

Here He Comes

Going Through the Swing Bridge

We then untied and set off, I went to open the swing bridge that will take us onto the Trent & Mersey canal, but a boat was coming in, so he opened the bridge and came through, then it was our turn.

Back onto the Trent & Mersey Canal

I left Kev to shut the bridge and I walked up past the Swan Inn to the lock, we have three to do today.  Kev came out onto the junction and turned left and came up to the lock.

In Middle Lock

There was a boat coming down so when they came out Kev went in.  There was a volunteer on this lock today so he helped me and we were soon through and on to the next one.

I can see you!

The lock was empty so I opened the gates and Kev came in.  I shut the gates and opened the paddles to fill the lock, no one was coming so we shut the gates and went on our way along the canal.

Coming into Shadehouse Lock

In Wood End Lock

After a short while we were approaching Wood End lock, there was a volunteer on this lock as well and she had the gates open for us, so I got off at the lock landing and walked up to the lock and Kev went in the lock.

This lock is not very deep so we were soon through there, there was a few boats waiting to go down so we went out the lock leaving the gates open for the next boat.

Another Bridge

Lovely Autumn Day

We chugged on for another couple of miles, it was a glorious sunny day with lovely blue sky and then in the distance we saw the chimneys of the old Power Station at Rugeley so we knew Handsacre where we were mooring was not far away and sure enough around a few more bends and we were there.

Rugeley Power Station

We moored up, had lunch then went out for a walk, up to the bus stop to check the times of the buses to Stafford then on up the road to the shop.  We then walked back to the boat.

I am off back down to Weston tomorrow until Saturday so I am getting the bus from here in the morning to Stafford, then the train to Bristol.  Kev is staying with the boat and chugging up to the Plum Pudding at Armitage to meet me there on Saturday.

Moored at Handsacre

Kings Orchard (By Marina) to Fradley (before Swing Bridge) - Coventry Canal

Saturday 20^th October

Sun Peeping Through The Trees

We are going about four miles today back up to Fradley Junction.  It was another dry day but still a bit chilly as we set off along the canal, the sun was peeping through the trees so another sunny day ahead I think.

Is This A Bridge Or A Tunnel!

We chugged on along the canal under a few bridges and one of them was more like a short tunnel than two bridges put together.  We passed a few boats coming the other way and after a few miles we were approaching Fradley Junction and we moored up before the swing bridge which takes you out to the junction and onto the Trent & Mersey.

Nice Reflections in the Water

We had brunch then went out for a walk, we walked down past the cafe and over the bridge and had a walk around Fradley pool then out onto the canal and back down to the cafe and had a coffee sat by the canal watching the boats go by.

Sitting by the Lock at Fradley

It was a lovely sunny warm afternoon so we walked up to the top of the locks and sat on a bench in the sunshine, we then walked back down and found another bench as it was too nice to go and sit in the boat.  We did go back eventually as it was getting a bit chilly and it was time to light the fire.

We are staying here tonight then off up three locks and four miles tomorrow to Handsacre.

Moored at Fradley Junction

Whittington (Bridge 81) to Kings Orchard (by Marina) - Coventry Canal

We stayed put the last couple of days.

Walking by the River Tame

Wednesday – We got the bus to Tamworth and walked out to Ventura Retail Park which is a nice 15 minute walk along the River Tame through the park where Tamworth Castle is.  There is a good variety of shops including M&S, Asda, H&M, W H Smith,

Tamworth Castle

Hobbycraft to name a few.  We had a wander around the shops then walked back to the town, the park by the castle is really nice and lovely views of the castle.  We did some shopping in the town, there is a really good fruit & veg shop so we stocked up.  We then got the bus back to Whittington and walked back to the boat.

Thursday – We stayed put again and had a very relaxing day just doing a few jobs and going out for a walk as it was a lovely sunny day.

Misty Morning

Back We Go

Coming to the Junction

We are on the move today and we have to turn around and go back up the canal towards Fradley, if we carry on down the canal, the winding hole is about 2 miles from where we are moored but about half a mile the other way you can wind at Huddlesford Junction so we decided to reverse back to Huddlesford Junction to turn around as the canal is very quiet and hopefully we wouldn't meet any moving boats.

Turning Round at the Junction

Under More Bridges

Kev was going to walk along the towpath pulling the boat with a back and middle rope and I would be working the controls giving it a bit of throttle but Kev said he would first try just reversing slowly and see if the boat stayed straight as we had a couple of trees overhanging the canal, two bridges and a moored boat to negotiate but it went fine and Kev reversed back really well and also past the row of long term moored boats and then we were at the junction and we turned around, that took us 25 minutes instead of about an hour and a half going on down to the next winding hole so well worth doing and good practice for Kev!

Walled Garden

We carried on along the canal and moored up just past Kings Orchard Marina as we wanted to go in there to see how much their diesel and gas was as we need both.

What Bird is this

There is a bridge over the entrance to the marina with a gate into the marina each side but both were locked so we couldn’t get in, they obviously want you to drive in with your boat but we weren't doing that, there are other places we can get gas and diesel so we walked back to the boat and had our lunch.

Woodhouse Farm

Back along the canal at Huddlesford and up the lane there Woodhouse Farm and Gardens where they sell Pork,Beef, eggs, etc. They are only open Fridays and Saturdays and as it was such a lovely warm sunny afternoon we decided to walk up there.  It was about a two mile walk from where we are moored, but a nice walk along the towpath then up a very quiet lane and past a house where there was a ostrich type bird standing by a gate, but we weren't sure what it was.

Sat in the Walled Garden

The Walled Garden

It was a really nice place and all the pigs were outside lying in the sun.  There is a cafe which incorporates the shop.  The lady and man that run the farm were really friendly and we bought some bacon, sausages and eggs.  We said we would have a drink and a freshly made scone and asked if we would like to sit in the garden to have it, so she said to walk up past the white building and go through the gates and what a surprise, it was a huge walled garden designed by Capability Brown and where they grow lots of vegetables, it was lovely and we sat in the sun and had our tea and scones.

Beautiful Evening Sky

Apparently there used to be a big mansion house by the walled garden but was taken down sometime in the 1800s.  We asked if they had any tomatoes and the lady went and picked us some.  They run a Community garden scheme where people can join and have a vegetable box and they help out with the garden and they do parties, weddings, meetings in their tea room, it is a great place and nice to see that an old walled garden is being put to such good use.

Piggies at the Farm

We walked back down the lane back to the canal and I sat on a bench and Kev trotted off back to Whittington to get some cash from the machine there as the farm shop only took cash and we need some cash for Monday when we have to get the bus to Stafford because I am going back to Weston and Taunton for a few days.

Kev returned after a while and we walked back to the boat doing a few caches on the way.  We enjoyed our visit to Woodhouse Farm, it's a lovely place and we will definitely be visiting again when we are next this way.

We are staying here tonight then off back to Fradley Junction in the morning.

Moored at Kings Orchard