Author: travurple

Monday morning we left Little Venice in central London, cruising north, back the same way we had entered London, on the  Grand Union Canal. We saw several terrapins sitting on branches just out of the water sunning themselves, the other random thing we saw was lots of coconuts floating in the canal – no idea!

We moored below the Malt Shovel pub, in Uxbridge exactly where we were moored on Friday.

Tuesday we continued the trip north, doing 12 miles and 13 locks. At one of the locks, a Wide beam boat, was in the lock ahead of us, the owner/driver had just picked up the boat (his first boat) about 50 yards before the lock, so this was his first lock, his friend/crew was a sailor, but never been on the canals!! So we helped out. They did two locks ahead of us then turned around to head south, we wished them good luck and carried on north. 

On Wednesday we did 17 locks, sharing some of them with a narrowboat which had a stern tiller, but also a steering wheel within the front of the boat, so when that was being used it looked like a standard narrowboat without a driver…….weird!

Thursday, Rog got the best views we have had of a kingfisher, this one was braver than most, it stayed on its perch until level with the back of the boat, before flying ahead and doing the same thing several times. It was amazing! 

We shared a few locks with a café boat which was being relocated to the Marsworth locks, by a couple of friends of the owner, we were not sure they were very familiar with canals or boats. 

After mooring we walked into Aldbury village and had a pint at the Greyhound Inn (see photo of the stocks on the village green).

On Friday morning we cycled to the Natural History Museum in Tring, which houses the taxidermy collect of Lord Rothchild, (donated to the nation) thousands of taxidermy animals on show. Every type of animal you can think of and some you have never heard of (see photo).

Saturday, made further progress north, 7 miles and 10 locks, we shared some of the locks with a couple who had hired boats for 50 years, they were pleased to accept help with the locks, as sometime in the not to distance past he had had a heart attack and her knees were not great, so they had hired a boat for the last time, as they put it their swan song.  

At a couple of the locks there was a wide beam boat in front of us, they were doing everything very slowly, just in case they scratched the paintwork of their highly polished craft. Each to their own path, but most other boaters  (Thankfully including the company that owns  of Life in Slow Motion) acknowledge that boating is a contact sport, but just remember if you are going to hit anything…. do it slowly. 

Throughout the day we saw lots of unusual aircraft overhead, the red arrows, tiger moths, a Lancaster bomber  – there must have been an air show somewhere.

After mooring we were sitting on the back of the boat having a cup of tea, when a couple stopped to chat, when we say couple we mean ‘her’ and when we say ‘chat’ we mean a 20 minute stream of boating anecdotes without taking a single breath, it was quite astonishing, finally her husband reminded her that they were going out that night to talk at some other people they actually knew.  

Sunday we had a relaxing day with only about 4 hrs cruising north to Bletchley.

At Leighton Buzzard we passed an empty hire boat yard, and the rest of the day we saw their fleet of boats passing us as they returned, change over day must be Monday. We spoke to a couple of the crews, they are paying more per week for a boat than we are for a month. 

sssh …. Don’t tell anyone we are going to Bletchley Park (code breakers, enigma etc) tomorrow.

	This Week	Total
Locks	67	618
Miles Cruised (approx.)	58	766

Bank Holiday Monday, but as it was a Monday still had to do the engine checks, including the weed hatch, the canal water is surprisingly clear, you can see the propeller. 

It is quiet on the canal in terms of boats moving, but there are loads of moored boats, of all Types – narrowboats, wide beam, house boats and cruisers

Sizes – Tiny narrowboats (6ft !!! – was moored against a normal narrowboat, it looked like a dog kennel) to huge house boats the size of portacabin on floats.

States of repair/dis-repair – from new & pristine, currently being painted, to gutted, covered in a tarpaulin or sunk.

A short day on Tuesday, only 3 miles and 4 locks, we were managing our time to meet friends in Uxbridge on Thursday and Friday, before heading to Little Venice in London for Saturday and Sunday nights. 

By Wednesday lunch we had arrived in Uxbridge and started looking for a mooring, but there were boats everywhere, so we had to keep going, so we arrived at the Pub for Thursday’s lunch booking 24 hours early, and we were extremely lucky to get a mooring really close. Unfortunately, our friends had realised that they would be unable to meet us on Thursday, something called “work” was getting in the way. So, we had a good lunch 24 hours early! (Sorry guys – you missed a good meal). 

Thursday, we didn’t move the boat, but explored Uxbridge on foot, found the Crown and Treaty pub, which hosted unsuccessful talks between both side in the English Civil War (not quite sure why it includes ‘Treaty” in its name as no Treaty was reached). 

Friday, again we did not move the boat, and went to the cinema to see “Free Guy” which we enjoyed. Then Friday evening we were joined on aboard by friends. 

Saturday, we cruised the 17 miles to Little Venice in central London, which took 7 hrs, lots of moored boats, which slows progress, but a really enjoyable cruise, we were expecting a bit of a wasteland, but were pleasantly surprised by the cruise. We had moorings booked at Rembrandt Gardens South, and have only just realised that there is only one mooring for Rembrandt Gardens South and one for North. We initially thought there were a few moorings so we were lucky to get it booked.   Due to holiday complications family members were not able to meet us as planned at 4pm in Little Venice, but we did make it with 10 mins to spare.

Headed out with Friends for pizza, before heading back to the boat for a surprisingly quiet night, given that this is central London, and the close proximity of the local Fire Station, however the geese do wake up early!

Sunday, met more friends for lunch in The Harwood Arms, so we walked the nearly 3 miles to Fulham, via Kensington Gardens. A really good meal – roast game to share!  the Slow Roast Roe Deer shoulder was stunning.  Then walked back via the Kings Road, another good long walk after a rich lunch. 

Spent the evening sitting on the Boat watching the world go by, a few canal boats, loads of little self-drive day boats rented from the Paddington Arm.

	This Week	Total
Locks	19	551
Miles Cruised (approx.)	30	708

We started Monday morning in the north of Milton Keynes and continued our cruise south, given all the moored boats, for which the correct thing to do is slow down to “tick over” ( it appears not everyone does), it seemed to take us ages to leave the suburbs of Milton Keynes.

We met our first wide beam boat, coming the other way, thankfully at a wide open straight, so no problems there! 

On Tuesday, we cruised 9 miles and did 9 locks, the last couple of locks with another boat, who’s crew had just had a scare when their dog had fallen off the front of the boat, just as they were entering a lock, the problem was worsened by the fact the dog was still attached to the boat by its lead, and one of its humans was on the bank unable to help, the human driving the boat managed to drag the dog back on to the boat. They had then reversed out of the lock to calm down, and that is how we found them, so we helped them through the next couple of locks. After mooring up near each other, the human introduced us to Charlie, the dog, who appeared not to be fazed by the incident.

We also saw a terrapin in the canal, the boat disturbed a floating clump of reeds and the terrapin, swam away.

On Wednesday, we decided that we still had loads of time to get to the booked London moorings, so went down the Aylesbury arm of the Grand Union Canal (another there and back trip) 6 miles and 16 locks each way. The Aylesbury arm is a narrow canal with single locks, so no wide beam boats for a couple of days.  

After the first couple of locks, each lock was overtopping (too much water above the locks, running in when the lock is emptying – see photo), and the tow paths were flooded. So we called the CRT to report the issue. Rog threw Nic her wellies as it was wading time between locks!

Further down the Aylesbury arm, we came to a stretch of canal that was only just wide enough for one narrowboat, with reeds on both sides (see photo) thankfully we did not meet another boat coming the other way.

After mooring, we were approached by a kayaker with a soggy fledging pigeon under his jacket,  which he had just rescued from the canal, but didn’t know what to do with,  so he left in on the tow path near our boat and asked us to keep an eye on it (??), as there was lots of dog walkers on the tow path, Rog moved the pigeon to the top of our boat. 

Thursday morning, thankfully the pigeon had gone, leaving only what pigeons do best ! We continued our cruise to Aylesbury. Had a lovely walk around Aylesbury, an interesting town architecturally (when you can avoid the high street shops). Another U turn in the 57ft boat, which is getting easier, then after filling with water and using services we retraced our steps back towards the Grand Union Canal main line. 

Friday morning saw us complete the last 5 locks to exit the Aylesbury arm, and then start up the next set of Grand Union Locks. Once again we had company from another boat on the double locks for a set of 7. Lots of chat and helping one another, plus the additional help of CRT volunteers, some of whom were re-painting numbers onto the lock gates, so we had to be careful not to end up with a number on our backsides as we opened them up! That night we moored in Berkhamsted, when Rog spotted a section of piling  (metal piling along the side of the canal which is easier to attach metal clips to, to secure ropes to the bank)  just long enough for the boat, and helpfully in a position where the west coast mainline was entering a tunnel, making the noise a lot more bearable!

Saturday morning, we walked into Berkhamsted, down the high street then across the railway line to the castle, a motte & bailey castle, a royal palace from 1066 and is still part of the Duchy of Cornwall’s estate. Back to the boat doing 4 miles and 11 locks towards Hemel Hempstead. 

On Sunday morning,  having  just cast off, a passing runner told us that a there was a boat stuck across the canal, just below the next lock, so Nic secured the boat again and whilst Roger headed forward to investigate. One of the wide beam boats, we have been leap frogging since Braunston locks, was in the next lock, and her crew were attempting to deal with the loose boat, so Rog helped out securing the boat again.  So setting off again we did a mile and 4 locks to the local Aldi to do some shopping. The boaters we were sharing locks with obviously don’t do Aldi, they were all telling us about the local Waitrose, Sainsburys or Marks and Spencer.  

We met the widest wide beam boat we’ve seen, thankfully she was sitting in one of the locks, completely filling a 14ft wide lock, an ex British Waterways Board (now CRT) built in 1952 as a working boat on the Leeds Liverpool Canal, then used as a day trip boat in Uxbridge, before being bought by her current owner. 

After another 7 locks and crossing under the M25 , we moored for the evening. 

	This Week	Total
Locks	82	532
Miles Cruised (approx.)	47	678

As we still had the hire car, on Monday morning we did a grocery shopping run to the local Aldi to stock up on essentials, especially the heavier stuff, like  milk, beer etc. Then after returning the hire car,  we turned the boat around and headed back through the Hilmorton locks again (this being the 5^th time through the first one – the first 3 times (once in reverse!) being back in March when we first picked up the boat)

On Tuesday, we cruised back to Braunston Junction to join the Grand Union Canal – Main Line – heading south, the next aim being Little Venice,  London, as we have booked CRT moorings at Rembrandt Gardens in Paddington for the 4^th & 5^th of September, as we fancied cruising into central London  …just because we can!

6 locks and 7 miles today, including the 2,043 yards of Braunston Tunnel –

a two-way tunnel with no tow paths, Nic had the pleasure of being at the tiller for this one.

First thing on Wednesday morning we sat and watch 2 wide beam boats emerge from the Braunston tunnel, the CRT close the tunnel to one-way traffic to allow the wide beams passage. One of the wide beams (12ft) is nearly twice as wide as Life in Slow Motion (6ft10’) – we are not sure how they manage  to get through some of the bridges and around  the moored boats. Thankfully they moored up just in front of us, so we only had to manoeuvre around them then cruise off, towards the Buckby locks (7 locks). We did the first couple of locks, on our own, before stopping for lunch, then completed the rest of the locks with a hire boater. It’s easier with two boats in the locks, and even easier when other boats are coming the other way, as you don’t have to re-set the locks (if you are going down and the lock is empty, you have to fill it before you can enter). At one of the locks two boats were about to enter, one was a large old commercial boat called, “Sculptor” with a 4ft draft (the bit below the water), which we later found out is usually moored outside the Stoke Bruerne Canal Museum. Unfortunately, Sculptor was grounded on the bottom and unable to move, so we had to let water down  through the lock, by opening the paddles, to re-float Sculptor.

Locks done, next job finding mooring for the night, however as the canal  at this point is between the M1 motorway and a main railway line, finding somewhere quiet was impossible, so we finally moored nearer the railway, being slightly further away from the M1. Nic says the trains restarted at 6am, Roger was still asleep and didn’t notice!

Thursday time to re-fuel again, 140ish miles, 106.4 hrs of cruising (marine engines work in hours not miles/kilometres), and 6 weeks since the last fill up, this time was 99 ltr at a cost of £93, not a bad bill for transport and electricity for 6 weeks.

Friday  brought another tunnel, Blisworth tunnel this time, 3,076 yrds two-way tunnel with no tow path, and Roger’s turn to be at the tiller, met 5 boats in the tunnel, so could have been worse. Moored up overnight in Stoke Bruerne.

Saturday went to the Canal Museum in Stoke Bruerne, where Sculptor should have been moored up, if it was not getting stuck near locks further north. Went for a walk and Nic got attacked by a gate, whilst opening it , blood and bruising on the back of the hand when the gate dropped, first aid administered, we think she’ll live (as Roger is typing this Nic is making biscuits – so it must be ok)

Sunday, we cruised to the outskirts of Milton Keynes, spotted a grey parrot at the top of a tree, making some very un-british countryside noises, we assume it have escaped from somewhere. Once moored we went for a walk around the Linford lakes, including meeting a group of teens sneaking out of a building site (we’ve all been there, just a very long time ago !) 

	This Week	Total
Locks	24	450
Miles Cruised (approx.)	39	631

So bright & early on Monday morning, we did the last two locks to the Boat yard, as we approached the last lock the lower gates opened with the rear of a boat in view, which is unusual, as you normally see either the front of a boat ready to leave the lock, or an empty lock.  The Guys from the boat yard were just moving, by hand, a old 1912 commercial boat, (which had a 1 cylinder  two stroke engine, which takes 2hrs to start!) afterwards we learned that the boat had just been moved from the drydock for us to go in. 

Life in Slow Motion needed reversing down the canal arm to the drydock, thankfully the engineer did that. Once in the drydock, the water had to be pumped out, which took about 45 minutes.  Then the engineers could investigate the propeller, which after a few sharp intakes of  breath and rubbing of chins, it was decided that the bent fin on the propeller should be cold bent (rather than hot bent) back in to shape.  After the health and safety lecture, which was “everything in this boat yard is trying to kill you, it just hasn’t decided when yet,…. so be careful”, they were happy for us to watch the process from the bottom of the drydock.  So with the aid of a large lever, two large hammers and a block of wood, the fin was coaxed back in to shape. Half an hour later that was done, so the drydock was re-flooded. The whole process took a couple of hours including the obligatory tea break.

To the untrained eye, the boat yard was complete chaos, inside – used tools laid around everywhere, together with bits of metal and wood. Outside, more stuff, including half a boat, lots of metal and a random collection of vehicles, motor bikes, vans, motorhomes, cars, all in various states of abandonment.  But Life in Slow Motion was sorted in 2 hours and we were back on the canals – with a working propeller.

Tuesday, cruised to just outside Braunston, a busy canal junction between the Oxford Canal and the Grand Union canal. Had an interesting walk via to towpaths and into the village.

On Wednesday we cruised to Hillmorton locks on the Oxford Canal, which is where we started from back in March, we did this, as it was easy to pick up a hire car for another weekend off the boat, visiting friends. 

Thursday, we picked up the hire car, which was brand new and only had 27 miles on the clock, then drove to Widnes for dinner, and too much wine, with friends!

Friday, drove to Lancaster, for more catch up good times with friends, this time at the Fleece Inn in Dolphinholme (a village about 20 mins from Lancaster).

On Saturday, drove down to Chester for time with Nic’s Auntie, we helped out with a few jobs around the house and were rewarded with nice meals and some more wine!.

Sunday we drove back to Rugby (Hillmorton), and went to the cinema (the first time in 18months) to see Black Widow, there were only about 10 people in the cinema. 

	This Week	Total
Locks	16	426
Miles Cruised (approx.)	17	592

For those who are not avid followers of the blog or anyone who missed last week’s blog, as small recap ! we broke the boat propeller, one of the three fins is out of line by a couple of inches, which means forward is fairly noisy with some vibration on the tiller, but reverse is very noisy and not very effective either,  therefore we need to get the boat to a boat yard, for a Monday (9^th August)  morning slot in a dry dock to fix the problem. So, we have 55 miles and 90 locks to do, by Sunday evening.  

On Monday, we drive back from Lyme Regis, do some shopping then return the hire car to Birmingham airport, so don’t manage any cruising. 

Tuesday, on checking the rear bilge, before setting off, the boat has taken on about 1 cm of water, could be something to do with the damage or there was a lot of rain over the weekend and could just be that. 1 cm is not a lot and not of real concern yet, we speak to the engineer who agrees we continue to the boat yard, and continue to monitor the bilge. 

So, we set off, as soon as we leave the Stourbridge arm, we are at the bottom of the Stourton locks (16 locks) thankfully help arrived in the shape of “John”, not sure he is an “official Canal & River Trust Volunteer” but he helps out, setting the next locks for us, which is a great help.  Not long after the Stourton locks we hit the Delph locks (8 locks), no help this time, but not many boats around, so we just cracked on with them. After 8 ¼ hours of cruising we moored for the night just south of the Netherton tunnel (one for the morning !) A nice mooring site except for the significant number of Flying Ants around on the tow path, we just kept the doors and windows closed!

We set off on Wednesday morning with a plan to get to the other side of Birmingham that day (there are few good moorings, other than in the Gas Street Basin, and that is still in the middle).  First the Netherton tunnel, 3,027 yards which takes about an hour to cruise, the Netherton tunnel is a dead straight wide two way tunnel,  and thankfully we did not meet another boat in the tunnel, out the other end we get to the Birmingham Canal Navigations – Main line, which is a very wide canal, the “boatway” (motorway) of its time. we can confirm the fact often quoted that Birmingham has more canals than Venice (we’ve seen the CRT sign). A left turn at Old Turn Junction to the top of the Farmers Bridge Locks (13 Locks), struck lucky again, CRT volunteer on hand to help us through these locks, which descend 81 ft between office blocks.  We are making good progress and no more water in the bilge. 

A right turn at Aston Junction on to the Digbeth Branch, and yes you’ve guessed more locks, 6 this time, but no more help. Then another right turn at Bordseley Junction on to the Grand Union Canal and 5 more locks, a couple of which were really tricky paddles to open, we then passed Birmingham City University.   The CRT Volunteer had advised us not to moor in Birmingham or Solihull, so we cruise another 6 miles to near a village called “Catherine de Barnes”, a couple miles away from Birmingham airport. A total day’s cruising of 10 ½ hours, our longest day by far, and so far we have been blessed with good weather. 

Thursday,  we are now on the Grand Union Canal, and the locks are now Grand indeed, which can take 2 narrowboats, side by side or 1 wide beamed boat.  Today we only had 1 set of locks to do, the Knowle locks (5 locks) dropping a total 41 ft 10 inch. We were not joined by another boat in the locks, which makes it slightly trickier as the boat drifts about when paddles are opened. On coming out of the first lock, two boats were coming up out of the next lock, so Roger had to avoid those, then the boat got caught by the wind, because of the dodgy propeller was unable to fight the wind, so went with it and ended up doing a full 360’ turn, in the lock pound, before entering to lock, no problem, no harm done! 

By mid-afternoon, we were getting close to Hatton Locks (21 locks),when the rain started (the forecast was terrible) so decided to moor up of the rest of the day, and the weather did  indeed get a lot worse. 

Friday, the Hatton locks down into Warwick, 21 double locks, again it was surprisingly quiet, so no company in the locks, but again CRT volunteers, who were great, 21 locks in only 3 hours – result, which meant we had some time to walk around Warwick  (didn’t do Warwick Castle – it is a £26 entry fee, so you need to spend all day there to get anything like your money’s worth). Cruised on a couple more miles, and a couple more locks, then stopped for dinner at the Moorings Pub. Great Garlic Prawns!

Saturday, as we had made good time earlier in the week, we have time for a walk around Leamington Spa, before cruising on near the Fosse Way (Roman Road). When the weather broke again we moored up and did some house work and laundry

Sunday,  needed to get to the Boat yard by the end of today, but only 4 miles and 8 locks to do. But after 3 miles and 6 locks we passed the engineer enjoying a coffee on the tow path near his boat ,and  he advised us that as the boat yard is near the Blue Lias pub it was a bit congested, and suggested we moor before the last 2 locks. so as instructed we have moored up 1 mile and 2 locks short of the boat yard. So we have done 54 miles and 88 miles.

And to the Boatyard tomorrow morning !

	This Week	Total
Locks	88	410
Miles Cruised (approx.)	54	575

Mondays are becoming the new Sundays for publishing the Blog !

Monday, we had a friend on board, so cruised from Kidderminster to Wolverley for lunch at the Lock pub, and then back to Kidderminster. 

On Tuesday, we needed to turn around, so did 2 locks (twice) and 2 mile to get back to Kidderminster facing the “right” way. Just below one of the locks there was a loud bang as something hit the propeller, bending one of the fins. So we now have a little vibration on the tiller, but more vibration of the boat whilst in reverse gear. We reported this to the company, who were deciding whether to send the engineer out to see us. 

Wednesday was a short motoring day, the weather turned to heavy/thundery showers so we moored up below Whittington Lock at lunch time and watched the rain for the rest of the day. Whittington as in Dick’s Grandfather reportedly lived there!

Thursday, we cruised to our weekend moorings in Stourbridge Basin, via the 4 Stourton Locks, the pounds (the bit between two locks) had really low water levels. We were following, and helping out, a guy working his boat and locks alone, in the last pound he grounded his boat, and we needed to release more water from above the lock to re-float the boat. Once in Stourbridge basin, we had to reverse park our 57ft Boat in a 58ft space! (“Thanks Rog” – Nic!). On an evening stroll round Stourbridge we found a Laundry to drop off a bag of bedding and towels to be done over the weekend, a blessing not be spending 3 hours in the Laundry watching the machines spin.

On Friday, Rog finally managed to speak to the Chief Engineer of the Company (and send him a better photo of the propeller damage, as the water is clearer in the basin – See Below), we have agreed that the propeller needs fixing at his boat yard, on Monday 9 August – So 55 miles and 90 locks to do next week!  Then Roger  caught the train back to Birmingham International airport to collect another hire car, so we could drive down to Lyme Regis for a family “do” at the weekend. 

	This Week	Total
Locks	19	322
Miles Cruised (approx.)	20	521

Monday, we returned to the Boat in Penkridge, with Roger’s parents. It is always a relief to find all was good with the Boat. Whilst we still had the hire car we did some shopping, to save carrying it too far. Then Roger had to return the hire car to Birmingham Airport, which was a bit of a trial, with busy motorways, no easy petrol station, then Hertz charging the credit card for an additional day’s hire, despite returning it on time (got it sorted and refunded).  After Roger got back to Penkridge on the train, we moved only a couple of miles to get out of Penkridge, and off the 5-day moorings (we had already been on there for 5 days), unfortunately we ended up a little close to the M6.  As we came out of a lock, there was an awful noise from the boat, so we quickly moored up and started to investigate, Engine OK, Gearbox – looked OK but we are no engineers, propeller – not OK – it had a mangled rope fender wrapped around it! After one wet arm, and only a little bit of swearing Roger dislodged the fender and all was well.

On Tuesday, a really hot day, we (now four) cruised for 13 miles and did 8 locks, passing Autherley Junction (Shropshire Union canal) and the Aldersley Junction (Wolverhampton & Darlaston Canal) mooring just below Awbridge lock, a much quieter spot. 

Wednesday was another cruising day, with Mum & Dad, covering 5 miles but 11 locks. Dad helping out with the locks. it was so hot in the Boat that Roger took out some of the windows to get more air flow. 

Thursday, we got to Kinver in time for lunch at The Bay Tree, and being another really hot day, the restaurant air conditioning was a bonus.  After lunch we cruised again for another few miles, to get closer to Kidderminster. Tonight’s mooring was in a lovely spot, but was slightly spoilt by the biting insects having a good feast on us. Nic as usual had the most impressive swollen reactions to the bites,  (despite the anti-histamine tablets!).

Friday morning was a short cruise to Kidderminster, as Mum & Dad, left us by train, via Birmingham up to York. We walked through the town centre, then cruised out of town, towards Stourport.

On Saturday, motored to Stourport, down in to the basin, where the canal meets the River Severn, given that the boat is not equipped (no Anchor, Life jackets) for rivers, we  had previously made the decision not to do rivers. On seeing the River Severn, even that far upstream, we are both glad we made that decision.  So, after using the services in the basin, we turned the boat around and went back into the canal.  Lunch at The Black Star pub, then cruised out of Stourport, back towards Kidderminster, to meet up with a friend from the Isle of Man.

Sunday, arrived back in Kidderminster, dinner and drinks at the Watermill pub.

Weird; 36 miles and 36 locks this week !

	This Week	Total
Locks	36	303
Miles Cruised (approx.)	36	501

And another late published blog, this time our excuse is another weekend off the boat. 

Had a lazy day on Monday, didn’t move the boat, but we did walk back to Great Heywood to the farm shop for strawberries. 

Tuesday, we followed a slow boat, towards Acton Trussell, then walked around the village, the canal book, says Acton Trussell “is best viewed from the canal”, it is obviously a commuter village but lots of nice houses and expensive cars. They were holding a Scarecrow competition (see photo below).  We think this was a strong competitor! Roger had another hair cut sat on the bank, only one boat passed whilst cutting.

Wednesday, we moved back to Penkridge, to moor the boat for a few days, went to Penkridge market, a traditional market, where you could buy almost anything. 

Thursday, Roger caught the train to Birmingham airport, via Wolverhampton to collect a hire car, so we could drive to Pocklington to celebrate Roger’s parents golden wedding anniversary. 

Friday, Saturday and Sunday were spent with family celebrating.

	This Week	Total
Locks	7	267
Miles Cruised (approx.)	10	465

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. 

	This Week	Total
Locks	14	260
Miles Cruised (approx.)	44	455