Introduction

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We hope you enjoy reading about our lifestyle and thank you again Ruth and Richard

Great Haywood to Calf Heath (14 miles, 12 locks)

Leaving Great Haywood after a weekend's trading, we approached the junction which would take us onto the Staffs and Worcs Canal.


Haywood Junction in the distance ~ a nice 90 degree left hand bend

The canal was quiet as it was quite early, our favourite time to move the boats.


Safely around the junction, we pass the hirefleet of Anglowelsh


Appropriately named Tixall Wide

The first thing Richard commented on, getting back onto the canal proper after Tixall Wide, was the shallowness of the channel.  Our speed slowed notably.


Me coming through a bridge on the butty

The new stern on the butty enables me to leave the tiller alone whilst the motor boat pulls in a straight line.  The old stern, slightly twisted, and with poor 'swim' used to crab a little, meaning I couldn't always leave it be!  Now I can do what butty steerers of old used to do and keep myself busy!


Complete change on livery for the motor as well!

We moored for the night above Deptmore Lock above the village of Wildwood.  Richard got the sander out and that was it, the old back cabin was going to be changed from green with cream and red borders, to green with scumbled (imitation woodgrain finish) borders.


 Just needs a red border around the green panels 


Later walking to the shop in Wildwood, we passed these calves, a whole field full and looking at us with the dogs.

Setting off again, we pass through Acton Trussell and finally Penkridge, to visit the chandlers at Park Gate Lock and moor up for the night.


Bit more work on the butty.  Diamonds to the fore of the back cabin

Tracey and Ray on their boats Tea Junction and Billy Whizz pulled up for a quick visit to the chandlers on their way to the floating market at Stone at the weekend.  It was great to have a real life chat with them (especially being fellow traders) as opposed to online!


Big fat ducks

Mooring in Penkridge village the next night, Richard hired a car for a couple of days, allowing him to see our son in his new flat.  We also had a run out to the wholesalers, to make sure we had enough goods to sell at the Norbury Festival next weekend.


The Roundhouse Canal Shop at Gailey in the distance above the lock

Gailey Lock was a bit fiddly with the butty, as the canal goes under the A5 and then the lock is immediately after.  The rope for the butty needs to be pulled back to stop the butty running into the gates following the motor, but the angle is not easy as the wall to the road is in the way.  Richard managed to push it back and we got the gates shut successfully.  


Leaving the waterpoint at Gailey, wiggling between the boats unscathed.  Luckily it wasn't windy!

That was the last lock after a run of 6 that morning, so we stopped for water and visited the shop for a nosey and some chocolate!


Hatherton Junction at Calf Heath ~ right main canal, left old arm (now a dead end) where boats now moor

We got drenched during our next leg, so to find a nice quiet bit of armco, for the night, just past the junction was very welcome!  

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