Penkridge to Bridge 93 - Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal

 

Monday 26^th July

We are finally leaving Penkridge after being here for over two weeks waiting for blood test, results and hospital appointment.  I had the blood test and got the results and all was clear, but as tummy is still not good, I had another visit to the doctor and she has put me on antibiotics so hopefully they will help. I am still waiting for a hospital appointment but we could be waiting for ever at this rate, so we will carry on and work out how to get to the hospital appointment when I get it.

                                        

We have enjoyed our time in Penkridge but it’s time to go on to pastures new.

It was another warm sunny day as we set off from our mooring, passing the Cross Keys pub where we had a great Sunday lunch and under a bridge and then we were at Filance lock.  There was a cruiser coming up so once he was through the lock it was our turn.  I saw something in the lock and it was a fender so that went in our collection.

                                                   

 We were soon through the lock and there was a boat coming up so we left the gates open for them and chugged on.  We wanted to stop at the services which is just before the next lock.  There was a boat there but he was just leaving, so once he had gone we pulled over to the services to fill up with water, empty the loo and get rid of rubbish.  On the grass by the lock was another fender, both of them were the same and I think they came off the cruiser going up so I picked that one up as well, so now we have two extra ones.

                                                       

                                                                              

A boat came up the lock so once he was out, it was our turn and in we went.  There was another boat waiting to come up and the chap came up to the lock and sat on the wall and watched me, didn’t help at all!

                                                  

                                                                                             

We came out of the lock and went on along the canal passing a lot of park homes and leaving Penkridge behind us.  The next lock we came to was Longford lock.  There was a boat in front of us and no one waiting to come up, so we had to fill the lock first then we opened the gate and in we went.

                                                      

                                                                                      

On we went along the canal, under a few bridges and under the M6 motorway which runs alongside the canal for a bit and stopped just before the next lock to visit the Chandlery there.  It has been shut for a while but now taken over by another company but they are not really up and running yet so we headed on through the lock and on our way.

We chugged on and soon came to our last lock for today, Shutt Hill lock.  At the bottom of the lock by the bridge is an iron post, this is the only reminder of a small wharf which once existed here.  The post was used to turn the boats into the dock.

                                                       

We went on a bit further passing The Moat House Inn which is a lovely place to eat and on past the houses at Acton Trussell and moored up in a lovely open spot on the outskirts of the village.

We are staying here tonight then moving on to Stafford Boat Club tomorrow.