There and back !

On Monday, after recovering from Birthday week, we cruised to Gnosall (no, we are not sure how to pronounce it either). We walked around Loynton Moss country park, and ended the day with Chips in Gnosall Heath, and were entertained by the crew of the boat moored behind us singing.

Tuesday we cruised only 6 miles and 1 lock to Wheaton Aston, we had a nice walk across the field to the village.

Wednesday was an even shorter cruising day with only 4 miles covered to Brewood (pronounced “brood” we had to look it up), a changeable weather day, rain & shine. A walk into Brewood involving the purchase of sausages. Saw Speedwell Castle allegedly built by an apothecary from the winnings of a bet on a horse called Speedwell.

Thursday -onto a new canal – the Staffordshire & Worcestershire canal via Autherley junction, we headed north towards the Trent and Mersey canal at Great Heywood to join the dots of our travels.

Friday – we intended to cruise to Penkridge, however following a couple of chats with boaters heading in the other direction, it transpired that there was an angling competition in Penkridge, involving 64 anglers, so we decided to moor up near Bogg’s Lock and walk to Penkridge instead of cruising. (mooring would have been difficult).

Saturday, we did cruise to Penkridge involving more locks, including Penkridge lock, where we had to wait to fill with water and use the lock, as there were a few boats around, including a cruiser being propelled by a guy with a long stick.. a la… punting, a very strange sight. Whilst helping another boat through the lock, we lost a windlass into the lock, after a paddle dropped suddenly. The crew of the other boat had a magnet so attempted to fish it out, they did get one out, but not the one we lost, but hey ho we got a windlass. A rusty old windlass but still a windlass. (it has since cleaned up OK and works).

Sunday we cruised to Great Heywood, then fuelled up and turned around to head back down the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal, looking out for a good phone signal so we can stream the football! We are moored up at Tixall poised for kick off.