Monday 13th
July
We are on the move today and we were glad to see that it was
dry when we got up.
Off We Go |
Bishton Hall |
We set off along the canal under the bridge and past Bishton
Hall which is a wedding venue and is now owned by Charles Hanson the auctioneer
of Bargain Hunt fame.
We soon came to Taft bridge which is where a diesel boat
used to be and they had a small holding with pigs and when you got diesel you
could also buy bacon, sausages and chops.
Unfortunately this is all gone now and it is a boat yard where they are
building and restoring boats, it’s a shame as it was good to moor up alongside
and get diesel and the bacon and sausages were really good.
Taft Bridge |
Now a Boatyard |
We chugged on, the canal was quite busy today and we passed
several boats coming the other way.
Soon the chimneys of the old power station in Rugeley came
into view, an indication we didn’t have that far to go.
We then came to an aqueduct which goes over the river Trent
and just after the aqueduct there is some steps.
The Old Rugeley Power Station |
Coming to the Aqueduct |
These steps are known locally as "the bloody
steps" as many years ago Christine Collins was murdered on her way to
London travelling on a narrowboat and her body was carried up the steps to the
Talbot Inn. Her blood is said to have
dripped onto the stonework, hence their name.
The River Trent Running Underneath |
The Bloody Steps |
We went on, there were two big willows overhanging the canal
and as boats were moored up, we had to go right through them, it was like a big hanging curtain.
Going through the Willow Curtain |
We were then approaching Rugeley and the moorings. There
were a couple of spaces so we got moored up okay.
We walked up into the town to get shopping. Rugeley is a good place for shopping as there
are several shops in the town as well as a Morrisons, a Tesco and an Aldi.
We are staying here tonight then heading on tomorrow to the
Plum Pudding Italian restaurant at Armitage.
They have moorings outside and they are open so hopefully we shall be
partaking in some lovely Italian food.
Moored at Rugeley |
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