Fradley Junction to Alrewas (Trent & Mersey Canal)

Into Shadehouse Lock

Chugging past Coventry Canal

We are moving on today to Alrewas and we have seven locks to do!  So we set off fairly early and went through the first lock, a boat had just come out so that was easy and there was a volunteer lock keeper on the next lock so that one was ready for us as well.

Going down Junction Lock

It's made to measure!

We went on along the canal, past the entrance to the Coventry Canal and into the next lock.  We haven’t done this part of the Trent & Mersey before as we have always turned off to the Coventry canal so it is all new from here which is exciting, not knowing quite what to expect.

Soon through that lock and we stopped at the services to fill up with water, get rid of rubbish etc.  When all that was done, we were on our way and onto the next lock there was a boat coming out of there so that one was set as well and onto the next one. These locks are not very deep so they don’t take long to go through.

Going down Bagnall Lock

We chugged on along the canal, it is a really nice stretch of canal and we were soon at the next lock and soon through there and on we went and we were soon in the last lock for today.

We went through the lock and then moored in the visitor moorings just under the bridge. 

Butchers in Alrewas

Hats on the posts!

We had lunch then went for a walk up into the village of Alrewas.  The somewhat unusual name is Alrewas, pronounced ‘Olrewus’, is a corruption of the words Alder Wash – a reference to the many alder trees which once grew in the often-flooded Trent valley and gave rise to the basket weaving for which the village was once famous.

It is a nice village and has a sleepy feel to it and there are quite a lot of old cottages in the main street.  There are a few shops including a great butchers which of course we had to go in and buy a few things.  Also I assume for the Queen's Birthday all the posts had hats on them!

Where the mighty Trent meets the Canal

Alrewas Church

We walked back to the boat then walked on down the towpath to the next lock.  Just after this lock the River Trent joins the canal for a short distance so sometimes after heavy rain this section of the canal is shut. We had a look at the marker and it is in the green so hopefully will stay that way when we want to go through in a couple of days time.

We walked back up the canal and went to have a look at the church, it is 14^th Century.  Unfortunately it wasn’t open so we couldn’t go inside.

We went back to the boat then shortly after had a heavy rain shower, but luckily it didn’t last for long.  We are staying here now for a couple of days as it is such a nice area.

Moored at Alrewas

Rugeley to Fradley Junction (Trent & Mersey Canal)

Passing Rugeley Power Station

Passing Spode House

We are on the move today and the sun was shining as we set off from Rugeley.  We chugged along the canal past the Power Station which is now no longer in use and round the corner under the bridge and stopped at the water point to fill up.

Approaching Armitage Tunnel

Armitage Tunnel

Once full, we chugged on our way and went past Spode House, a former home of the pottery family and then we were going through Armitage Tunnel which is 130 yds long but the roof was removed in 1971 to combat the subsidence effects of coal being mined nearby.  This bit is very narrow and luckily we didn’t meet a boat until we were just out the other side, so that was lucky.

Passing the Plum Pudding

In Woodend Lock

On we went past the Plum Pudding Italian restaurant, we are going to stop here on the way back, past King’s Bromley marina and then we were at Woodend Lock.  

There was a boat just coming through so when they came out, in we went, this lock is not very deep so we were soon through there, on along the canal around a bend and we were at Fradley Junction at the top of the locks there.  We moored in the visitor moorings just before the locks.

Fradley Pool Nature Reserve

In the nature reserve

Fradley Junction is where the Coventry Canal joins the Trent and Mersey Canal.  This is a busy junction and has a gift shop, café and pub. 

Kingfisher Cafe

Little Sparrow Visitor

We had lunch then went for a walk down the canal. There is a nature reserve here called Fradley Pool, it was built in 1780 to divert the excess water so that the Coventry Canal couldn’t use it.  Today it serves as a quiet nature reserve, with a series of woodland paths, a bird hide and a broadwalk around the lake.  We had a walk around there then walked back up the canal and had a coffee in the Kingfisher café which is also a caravan park.  It is right by the canal so you can sit there and watch the boats going up and down through the locks.

There was a family of sparrows in the garden where we were sat and the parents were picking up bits of food and feeding it to the young ones.  They were quite tame and came very close to us.

We are staying here tonight then going through the locks tomorrow.

Moored at Fradley Junction

Wolseley Bridge to Rugeley (Trent & Mersey Canal)

The Canal and the River Trent

Bishton Hall

We are on the move today and the sun is shining and it is nice and warm.  We set off along the canal past Bishton Hall which is a school.  The canal and the River Trent run side by side along this stretch.  Soon we were approaching Bridge 69 where there is a boat moored there which sells cheap diesel, gas and also eggs.  

Approaching eggs and diesel

Getting Diesel

Few days old Piggies

We moored up alongside and the lady came and helped tie us up and served us with diesel and eggs.  They have pigs in the field by the canal and there was some babies which were a few days old and some others which were a couple of weeks old.  They do sell pork, sausages, etc. but didn’t have any at present but we are coming back up this way in a few weeks time so will stop and see if they have any then.

Aqueduct near Rugeley

Steps where body was found

We chugged on along the canal over the aqueduct and past some steps which were the scene of a murder  back in 1839.  Apparently 37 year old Christine Collins who was a fare paying passenger aboard a horse drawn narrowboat travelling between Preston Brook and London, her body was found floating in the canal here at Rugeley and was carried up the steps to the Talbot Inn which I think is no longer there.

We went on past there and moored at Rugeley just before Bridge 66.  There are plenty of shops in Rugeley so it is a good place to stock up with supplies.

We went up to the Morrison and Aldi and had a walk around the town which is quite nice then back to the boat.  There is also a Tesco right near the canal.

We are staying here tonight and chugging onto Fradley Junction tomorrow.

Moored at Rugeley

Day at Wolseley Nature Reserve

Natural Sculpture

We are staying here today so we had breakfast then set off up the road to The Wolseley Centre which is a nature reserve.  The sun was shining today and it was nice and warm.  It is about a 10 minute walk from the canal next to a Garden Centre.

Bug Hotel

Fast Flowing River Trent

Walkway in Reserve

The Wolseley Centre is Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s Head Quarters.  There is a visitor centre and gift shop and 26 acres to explore.  There is a network of accessible paths around three lakes and the Broadwalk which is a raised walkway which weaves around the reserve and alongside the River Trent.   There are several Bug Hotels for the insects and Kev says he has stayed in one or two of them in his time!!  There is also a hide in the park which overlooks one of the lakes and they also have bird feeders there to encourage the birds.

Terrapin sunbathing

 

Having our picnic

There are several natural sculptures and willow creations dotted around the reserve and a sensory garden.  There is also a ice house in a bank near the centre, we assume that is where they kept ice many years ago.

A Pheasant walking around

Steps leading to the Ice House

We had a walk around the reserve, it’s a great place and there were quite a few people walking around.  In one of the ponds on a long branch was a Terrapin sunbathing, that was good to see.  We also saw a kingfisher and some gold finches on the River Trent.

Inside the Ice House

A young vole peeping out!

We took a picnic with us so we sat by the River Trent which was running fast and ate our lunch then we carried on walking around the reserve.

We walked back to the canal then up the road the other way and a few minutes walk there is a garage which is also a Londis and a post office, handy to know.

 

We are staying here tonight then chugging on tomorrow.