The Anchor, High Offley to Norbury Junction - Shropshire Union Canal

It was quite misty as we set off from our mooring but dry so that was good.  We are just going a couple of miles today to Norbury Junction.

Misty Morning

Passing the Anchor pub

Coming to a Bridge

Grub Street Cutting

We went past the Anchor Pub and on along the canal we went. We soon came to Grub Street Cutting where there are lots of trees each side of the canal which makes it quite dark and dank going through here.  There are some boats which moor on this stretch, they have been there for years but I couldn’t think of a worse place to moor especially in the Winter time.

Still Misty

High Bridge

As we were going along the cutting we came across a day boat which had gone too far into the off side bank and had got stuck but by the time we got to them they were off the side and managed to get going again, otherwise we would have tried to pull them off. These cuttings are cut out of rock and you should stay away from the sides as often there is rocks and boulders under the water which you can get stuck on.

Coming to Norbury Junction

We chugged on and then came to High Bridge with a masonry strut, carrying a short telegraph pole, built across its tall arch.

Norbury Wharf

Cafe at the Wharf

We went on a bit further and then we were approaching Norbury Junction. We went under the bridge, past the Wharf and the Junction Inn, stopped at the services for water, then moored in the visitor moorings a short distance from the services.

Ducks by the Boat

We had lunch then in the afternoon we went out for a walk, down the towpath then down onto the road, under the canal and ended up at the Wharf. There is a café/shop/chandlery at the Wharf so we had a look in there then had coffee and cake sat outside as although it was a bit chilly, it was a dry bright afternoon. We then went back to the boat.

We are staying here for a couple of days now as tomorrow we are meeting our friend Jane for lunch in the pub so looking forward to that. Then on Friday we will chug on to Gnosall.

Moored at Norbury Junction

Bridge 47 to The Anchor at High Offley - Shropshire Union Canal

Off We Go

We are on the move again today and it was dry as we set off from our mooring.

Coming to Shebdon Embankment

We went under a bridge and then was on Shebdon Embankment which has stop gates at each end in case of a breach and then they can shut the gates to hold the water back.

The Old Cadbury Factory

Old Sign on the Old Cadbury Factory

Little House by the Canal!

Pheasants on the Towpath

Also there is a factory there which is now Premier Foods but used to be owned by Cadbury and they used to transport milk powder and chocolate crumb there to the factory at Bournville in Birmingham. We chugged on past there soon came to Shebdon Wharf where Bethsaida Covers moor.  They make boat covers and did ours 10 years ago and we will probably use them again when we have new covers next year.

Shebdon Wharf

Many Moored Boats

As we were chugging along, there was a group of pheasants on the towpath, they all disappeared into the hedge as we got close to them.  There was also a Heron which kept flying in front of us and then landing on the towpath and going off again just before we got to him.

Heron on the Towpath

Off He Goes

Along this stretch there are many moored boats and we chugged slowly past them.  They go on for a couple of bridges and soon we were past them and we moored up just before the Anchor pub at High Offley.

We had lunch and lit the fire as it was another chilly day.  In the afternoon we did a few jobs.

We are staying here tonight then moving onto Norbury Junction in the morning.

Moored at The Anchor Pub

Goldstone to Bridge 47 - Shropshire Union Canal

Saturday 19^th to Monday 21^st October

Cheswardine Church

Hound in the Pub

Fox Hiding Away

Saturday – We didn’t do much just went for a walk in the afternoon up to the village of Cheswardine. There isn’t much there, a few houses, a nice church and a pub.  We had a look in side the church then went to the pub.  It is a Joule’s Brewery pub and they have carved hounds heads dotted around the pub and each has a name.  There is also a carved fox but he is harder to find as he is tucked away but we found him.  When we walked up it was dry but while we were in the pub the heavens opened and it poured down. By the time we had finished our drinks it had stopped so we decided to try and get back in the dry and we almost made it, it was just starting again as we got to the boat so we didn’t really get very wet which was good.

Wharf Tavern

Swans by the Boat

Climbing out by the Pub

Off We Go

Sunday – We met our friends Dave and Anthea for lunch in the pub, the Wharf Tavern, opposite where we were moored.  We all had the Sunday Roast and superb it was too.  Dave and Anthea then came back to the boat for a drink and ginger cake which I made as it is Dave's favourite.  We had a lovely afternoon with them chatting and laughing.  When they were ready to go, we walked them to their car and said our goodbyes although no doubt we will see them again soon.

Sun Coming Through the Trees

Many Moored Boats

Today (Monday) we are on the move just a few miles and the sun was shining as we set off but quite chilly this morning.

We passed a long line of moored boats and went under several bridges.  We met one or two boats coming the other way but the canal is generally very quiet now.

Nice Views

Lovely Autumn Colours

Mushroom in the Hedgerow

We went on for a few miles and moored up just before Bridge 47 in a very quiet spot.  We lit the fire as it was chilly and soon the boat was nice and toasty.

We just chilled out in the afternoon and decided not to go for a walk today but sit in the warmth by the fire.

We are staying here tonight and then moving on a bit further in the morning.

Moored at Bridge 47

Market Drayton to Goldstone - Shropshire Union Canal

Thursday 17^th and Friday 18^th October

Yesterday (Thursday) we stayed put and we just walked into the town to do food shopping and buy a new clothes airer as the leg fell off our one.  There is a Morrison’s and a Lidl together with an Argos, a Wilko and an Original Factory Shop so plenty of choice and the sun was shining as well which makes a change of late.

Setting Off

Bye Bye Market Drayton

Today we are moving on from Market Drayton to Goldstone about 4 miles away.  The sun was shining again but it was quite chilly as we set off.  We stopped at the services to get water then went on our way. 

Lots of Trees along here

Coming to Tyrley Locks

We chugged on for about a mile and then were approaching Tyrley locks, there are five in this flight.  The bottom lock was empty so I got off and opened the gates.  The side washes on this flight can be very fierce but weren’t too bad today.  We were soon through the first lock and onto the second.

Coming up the first lock

Into the first lock

These first two locks are under trees and it is dark and damp and muddy and wet underfoot so it was nice to get through those two and out into the sunshine to do the next three.

Ducks Taking Off

Out in the Sunshine now

Heron in Field on Drinking Trough

Waiting for the lock to empty

Coming into Tyrley Top Lock

Cows by the lock

We worked our way up the flight and soon we were in the top lock.  We then went on along the canal and came to Woodeaves Cutting which is about a mile long, about 70ft deep in places and has a few narrow bits.  It is remarkable in that it was solid rock and all cut out by hand in 1832 without machinery. 

Tyrley Top Lock

Coming to Woodeaves Cutting

There are two really high bridges in the cutting which shows you how much had to be dug out. We were lucky today as we didn’t meet any boats in the cutting and in fact we were the only boat moving from Market Drayton to Goldstone, the canal has certainly gone quiet now, Winter must be on its way!

Spot the Heron!

Very Rocky Woodeaves Cutting

We went on a bit further and then came to Goldstone and moored up opposite the Wharf Tavern which is a really nice pub.

Woodeaves Cutting

Coming out of Woodeaves Cutting

The sun has been shining today but there is certainly a nip in the air so we lit the fire and made the boat warm and cosy.

We are staying here a couple of days now as on Sunday we are meeting our friends Dave and Anthea for lunch in the pub so we are looking forward to that, then on Monday we shall chug on.

Moored at Goldstone