Wolseley Bridge to Great Haywood - Trent & Mersey Canal

I came back from Weston yesterday and this morning we were moving on.  During my absence, Kev had moved up from the Plum Pudding to Wolseley Bridge.

After we got back to the boat yesterday afternoon, we were sat watching the TV and suddenly it felt as though the boat was launched into the air, my glass of juice shot off the side and went all over the floor, my Jewellery boxes were on a shelf above the bed and they were launched into the air and landed on the floor the other side of the boat, it felt like we had been rammed and indeed we had been a boat came around a slight curve then onto the straight where we were moored, another boat was coming the other way under the bridge and past us and as the boat coming around the curve was going so fast he hit the boat in front of us and then straight into us, he didn't attempt to slow down or take any action at all, he didn't even say sorry, all he said was I wasn't going that fast.  

Lovely Morning

One Out, One In

He got a torrent of abuse from both of us as he hit us really hard and it was totally unnecessary and Kev had been hit twice already earlier in the week, not as hard, but this was the last straw!  We don't usually say much, but today he got both barrels!  He reversed back and then went past us with “you need driving lessons mate or if not stay in the marina” ringing in his ears!

In He Comes

We are just going a couple of miles up to Great Haywood and the sun was shining as we set off along the canal.  We chugged on for a bit then came to Colwich lock and a boat was just coming out of the lock so I got off and Kev headed straight into the lock.  I closed the gates, opened the paddles and up the boat came.

In Colwich Lock

We opened the gate and just as we were doing that, a boat came under the bridge, so we left the gates open for them and chugged out the lock, under the railway bridge and on along the canal, past Little Haywood and we moored at Great Haywood below the lock with lovely views of Shugborough Hall.

Under the Railway Bridge

We had brunch then went out for a walk up to the Canalside Farm Shop, Cafe and Marina.  We went down to the Marina office as we have booked our boat in there next week as we are both off back to Weston on Wednesday until Friday for my dad's funeral and we just wanted to check with them we were all booked in.  It was all okay and they are expecting us next week, it is a nice marina and they are very friendly.

We then went into the farm shop and got a few things, then headed to the cafe for a coffee.  It did spit with rain while we were out, but it stopped and then the sun came out and it was a nice afternoon.

We are staying where we are moored until Tuesday then we are off into the marina and down to Weston on Wednesday.

Moored at Great Haywood

Handsacre to Plum Pudding, Armitage - Trent & Mersey Canal

We are moving today less than two miles though to the Plum Pudding at Armitage.  It is a family run Italian restaurant and you can moor right outside.  We have eaten there a few times and the food has always been delicious so we are looking forward to our lunch today!

Passing the Crown pub

Coming to a Railway Bridge

We set off along the canal passing The Crown pub and under a few more bridges.  The canal is quite narrow in some stretches along here but okay as we didn't meet many boats.  We chugged past the Armitage Toilet Factory (as seen on Inside The Factory with Greg Wallis) and on around the corner and then we came to the Plum Pudding and moored up.

Another Bridge

We went for a walk before lunch and walked up to Armitage where there is a Londis shop and Coles family butcher and bakery.

My Lunch

We took our groceries back to the boat and then it was time for lunch.  As it was a dry warmish day, we decided to sit on the terrace by the canal for lunch, so we went in and got a drink, I had Puerto de Indias Strawberry Gin from Spain.

Kev's Lunch

Kev's Dessert!

We decided to have the set menu today and our starters soon arrive, I had Tomato and Mozzarella and Kev had home made chicken liver pate.  Our main courses were chicken breast with bacon, garlic and chilli and port medallions with a creamy Dolcelatte sauce with saute potatoes, chips and veg.  

My Lovely Dessert!

We were then very greedy and had a dessert as well, I had panna cotta with homemade shortbread and Kev had chocolate brownie.  The food was excellent and we thoroughly enjoyed it.  They also sell eggs which come from a nearby farm so we bought some of those before we waddled back to the boat!

Our Boat from the Terrace

We are staying here tonight as I am off back to Weston and Taunton tomorrow for a few days to help with arrangements for my dads funeral next week and also to see him to say goodbye.  There is a bus stop right outside the Plum Pudding which goes to Lichfield so mooring here makes it very easy to get the bus in the morning.  Kev will stay with the boat and chug on a few miles to Wolseley where I can get back the bus back to on Friday.

Moored at the Plum Pudding

Fradley Junction (Coventry Canal) to Handsacre (Trent & Mersey Canal)

The rain had all gone and the sun was shining when we got up, that was good as we are on the move this morning.  We have three locks to go up and about 4 miles to travel to Handsacre where we are going to moor.

Coming to Swing Bridge

Coming out onto the Trent & Mersey

In Middle Lock

We set off from our mooring and had to go through a swing bridge so I went and opened it and Kev chugged through and shut it behind him.  This is where the Coventry canal meets the Trent & Mersey canal and now we were leaving the Coventry canal behind us and turning left onto the Trent & Mersey canal.  We have thoroughly enjoyed our time on the Coventry and although we have done it before, this time we really explored it and found some new places to visit, but now it is time to head back up the Trent & Mersey canal.

Coal Boat Auriga

In He Comes!

I walked up to the first of the three locks we are doing today, it was empty so I opened the gates and Kev came in. I shut the gates and walked to the other end of the lock and opened the paddles and up we went. 

We went on to the next lock and there was a boat coming down, so when they went out we could go in, but there was a coal boat, Auriga coming behind us who had just done a delivery to one of the long term boats moored between the locks and Kev let him go first so we helped him with the lock.

In Shadehouse Lock

There was a boat waiting to come down so then it was their turn and after that it was our turn.  It didn't take long for the lock to fill and we were on our way.

In Woodend Lock

The next lock Woodend was less than a mile so we were soon approaching the lock and a boat was just coming out so in we went.  There was two boats waiting to come down so we had plenty of help.

Passing Kings Bromley Marina

There is a house on the lock and they had put a box of apples out on the grass for people to help themselves so I took a few for pudding tonight, stewed apple and custard is on the menu I think.

Handsacre Methodist Church

We left the lock and chugged on our way under a few bridges and past Kings Bromley marina and then we were approaching Handsacre and we moored up before the bridge.

We had lunch then walked up the road to the shop, passing Handsacre Methodist Church, we were going to go in but unfortunately it was locked.  Opposite the church is a small park and there was a cache there, so we looked for that and we found it then walked on to the shop.

We then walked back down the road to the boat.  We are staying here tonight, then moving on in the morning.

Moored at Handsacre

Lunch out and Morris Dancing - Fradley Junction

Saturday 8^th September

We are staying put today and just as well as it was very drizzly on and off all morning.

Another Fine Ploughmans

Ham, Egg & Chips

We decided to go and have lunch in the cafe so we walked up to the top of the locks first as it had stopped raining then walked down to the Laughing Duck cafe there but I fancied chips and they didn’t do them so we walked back up to the Kingfisher cafe and went in there.

I had ham, egg and chips and Kev had a Ploughman’s with chips, the food was really good.  After lunch, we walked back down towards where we were moored and saw lots of Morris dancers heading up towards us, so we asked them where they were going and they said to dance outside the Swan pub.

Ryknild Rabble

The main group was called Ryknild Rabble from Lichfield and it was their 30^th Anniversary Day of Dance.  They were going around the pubs in the area giving performances. They had some guest dancers with them.

The Band

The Three Spires Morris also from Lichfield in their red skirts & black jackets performing  dances from the North West of England and The Hotpots, two lasses from Lancashire who now live in Lichfield who perform traditional Lancashire clog dances.

The Hotpots

Very |Young Morris Dancers

During the industrial revolution, workers flocked to work in the Lancashire cotton mills wearing clogs with leather uppers and soles made of Alder wood.  After a day's work they would tap with the clogs and dance the rhythms of the looms and machinery in the mills. Thus evolved the now famous ‘heel & toe' dances, and later on tap dancing.

Three Spires Morris

They all did a few dances which were great fun and really good and the Ryknild Rabble had two young children dancing with them.  It was drizzling with rain but several people came out of the pub to watch so they had a small crowd.  It was good to watch, they then moved onto Alrewas for their next performance.

We walked back to the boat and just chilled out.  The drizzle did stop and it brightened up a bit.  We are having one more night here then going up three locks and a few miles tomorrow morning, let’s hope the sun is shining.

Whittington to Fradley Junction - Coventry Canal

Thursday 6^th September

Nice Sunset

We stayed put today and just as well as it was drizzly and overcast.  We went out for a walk along the towpath and did some caches.  We then walked back to the village as there was a cache near the shops we hadn't done.  We had to find some clues first so we could get the coordinates to find the cache.  It was still drizzling so we found the clues then went into The Bell for a drink.  We then set off to find the cache and we did find it.  We then walked back to the boat and we had only been back a short while and it rained really hard but we didn't worry as we were nice and dry inside the boat!

We then just chilled out for the rest of the day.

Friday 7^th September

We are on the move today and I am pleased to say it was a dry morning but quite windy.  We set off along the canal which was very quiet and we only passed about two boats coming the other way.

Nice Sunny Morning

Passing a Work Boat

We came to Huddlesford and passed the remains of the Wryley & Eddington canal,now referred to as the Lichfield canal and presently used for moorings.

Passing the Lichfield Canal

We chugged on under a few bridges and came to Fradley Junction which was really quiet and we moored up just before the swing bridge.

Fradley Pool Nature Reserve

We had lunch then went out for a walk, there is Fradley Pool Nature Reserve the other side of the canal so we crossed the bridge and had a walk around there, it's not very far to walk all the way around but a nice walk.

The Swan at Fradley Junction

We then stopped off at The Swan pub (known to locals as The Mucky Duck) for a drink to toast my dad.  He passed away at the end of August and today would have been his 87^th birthday so we raised a toast to him.  They had a great selection of gins and I had Sipsmiths Lemon Drizzle gin and it was really nice.

We then walked back to the boat.  We are staying here tonight and also tomorrow as the forecast is for rain so we shall stay put and move on Sunday when it is supposed to be dry.

Moored at Fradley Junction

Hopwas to Whittington - Coventry Canal

Bodnetts Farm Shop

Yesterday (Tuesday) we stayed put today and went to Bodnetts Farm Shop. We walked up on to the bridge and followed the lane up to the road.  It was a busy road but luckily there was a grass verge to walk on and it wasn't too far along the road.

Bodnetts Farm Shop

They sell mainly fruit and vegetables, mostly locally grown along with Gaytons bread which is made in Grendon, a village not far away and the usual jams, chutneys, bird food and a few meat products, pies, bacon, free range eggs at £2 a dozen and the lad behind the counter said they often sell poultry but didn't have any today.  It's a really nice place and we bought some veg, a huge fresh cauli for 99p, some English Victoria plums and some English Spartan apples.

We walked back to the boat and just chilled out as it was a drizzly damp day.

Passing The Tame Otter

Today we are on the move. The sun was shining this morning as we left our mooring and headed along the canal.  We passed the Tame Otter pub and the Red Lion pubs which are opposite each other on the canal at Hopwas just down from where we were moored.

Passing the Red Lion

Under Another Bridge

Very Narrow Here

We chugged on and the canal was quite narrow in parts with reeds overgrowing the canal.  It was busy today with a steady flow of boats coming the other way so we had to stop several times in the narrow bits to let them pass, we always stop now as most of them never seem to want to slow down or wait so we do now, it makes life easier!

Another Narrow Bit

Canal Marker

As we were approaching Whittington, we passed the marker which shows we were now back on the Coventry canal.  You also know by the bridges, as on the Birmingham and Fazeley stretch the bridges are named and on the Coventry canal they are numbered.

Numbered Bridges Now

We chugged under a few bridges and moored up in a lovely open spot on the outskirts of Whittington.

We had lunch then walked back down the canal and up into the village.  There is a Co-op, Post Office, Chinese and a couple of pubs.  We walked up to the church, St. Giles.

Inside St. Giles

It was built about the 13^th century using red sandstone quarried in Hopwas wood. it was open, so we went inside, very small but lovely just the same and had a really nice stained glass window commemorating the Millennium.

The Millemmium Window

There was a cache here, well we had to find some dates on one of the graves and that would give us the coordinates to find the cache.  The grave we were looking for was next to the grave of Thomas Spencer.  He was a founder of Marks & Spencer Ltd and the adjacent church hall is named after him.

St Giles Church

We found the graves okay and headed down the road to find the cache.  We looked for this one last time we were here but couldn't find it, so we were determined to find it today.  We had a good look and then read the clue again, the penny dropped and we found it.

We walked back up to the village and then back to the boat in glorious sunshine, it was such a lovely warm day today.

We are staying here tonight and also tomorrow, then moving on Friday to Fradley.

Moored at Whittington