Wolseley to Rugeley (Trent & Mersey Canal)

Monday 13^th 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