Tixall Wide (Staffs & Worcester Canal) to Great Haywood Junction (Trent & Mersey Canal)

Tuesday 30th June to Tuesday 7^th July

Sunset at Tixall Wide

Bridge 76 Emporium Sign

We were going to have just a couple of day at Tixall wide but in the end we stayed there several days as it is such a lovely spot to moor and also the weather was not good, rain at times and a few days it was blowing a hoolie, not good boating weather!

Alpacas by the canal

We spent the days doing jobs and going out for walks.  It was only a 15 minute walk down the the junction so we did that a few times.  Also on the Saturday we walked up to Hoo Mill lock, about ½ a mile from Great Haywood junction where there is a place called Bridge 76 Emporium.  It is a small bakery and craft shop.  They also have Alpacas and sell the wool.  We bought Stilton and Walnut bread, a pasty, a Quiche and a cherry pie, all made that morning and fresh eggs from their own free range chickens, a great find and well worth a visit.

Lovely Evening at Tixall Wide

Paul and Jess

When we were out on one of our walks and got to the junction, at the water point was our friend Paul and his lovely dog Jess on NB Pride.  We met Paul on the Llangollen canal last year so it was nice to catch up with him and Jess again.

Coming to a Bridge

Coming out of the Junction

Tuesday – The wind and rain had gone and it was a very calm morning as we finally left Tixall wide and set off along the canal to the junction.  We decided to go early to get to the services before it got too busy so we left just after 8.00am but would you believe it as we were getting ready to go a boat came along, we waited for it to go past them we followed it and we looked behind us and another boat was coming, it doesn’t matter what time we leave, the canal is quiet and as soon as we untie a boat appears, it’s always the same!

Leaving the Staffs & Worcester behind

Coming to the Aqueduct

We went under a bridge, over the small aqueduct and then we were approaching the junction.  We went under the bridge and out onto the Trent and Mersey canal leaving the Staffs and Worcester canal behind us.

Old Bridge at Great Haywood Junction

We backed onto the services and tied up there to get water, get rid of rubbish and use the Elsan. When we had done all that we headed to the visitor moorings which were almost empty and moored up.

Our friends John, Sharon and Smugs are visiting today.  They are up in this area so are going to meet us at the farm shop.  We met up at lunchtime and sat socially distanced on the terrace by the canal and had coffee and cake and a nice catchup.  It was lovely to see them again.  We all went into the farm shop to get a few things then said our goodbyes but I am sure we will meet up again soon.

We are staying here for a few days and tomorrow (Wednesday) we are getting the bus to Stafford to do some shopping, also rain is forecast for a couple of days so hopefully by the time we are ready to move on, the sun will be out.

Moored at Great Haywood