Setting off very early in thick fog, after being rudely awoken by the local frisky cockerel, Richard lined the boats out as I walked along the towpath with the dogs.
Putting the cross-straps back on after the boats have been breasted up overnight
Tunnel light on!
The fog lifted quite quickly, as I met Richard at the narrow bridge hole further along the path. There, Reilly (greyhound), Lister (lurcher) and myself jumped back aboard to continue the journey.
Amington on the outskirts of Tamworth and no fog!
Over the aqueduct over the River Tame
Passing through Whittington, with, of course, an oncoming boat!
We dropped down the 2 locks at Glascote and moored briefly at Fazeley Junction to post a commission off and nip to the shop. Meanwhile, Richard cooked breakfast sandwiches with everything in to keep us going!
Fradley Junction swingbridge with the 'mucky duck' (The Swan) in the background
Soon arriving at Fradley Junction and luckily someone kindly opened the swingbridge, so we didn't need to negotiate getting off and on again before swooping around the 90 degree bend at the Swan pub.
There was around an hour's delay, when we got to the lock around the corner as the water level was low, due to broken gate paddle further up the canal. So we let the dogs off and had another brew!
Pulling off our mooring (Shade House Lock) the next morning
The night before, as we had managed, at last, to rise up the 2 locks after Fradley Junction, we struggled to get the boats moored for ages, as the water level was preventing the boats getting into the side. Someone must have let a lock full of water down from the lock above and we were able to urge the boats (butty on the inside as she only draws around 12inches!) into the edge and drop mooring pins in quickly before the level changed again! Another long day....
Approaching the A513 underpass and it's rocky cutting where one way traffic is the rule.
Before this bridge, I have to jump off the butty, run on ahead and see if the way is clear, otherwise we have to wait. Nobody about on this occasion...
Boat pushing passed us in the bridgehole, as we waited patiently trying not to jackknife!
However, as we lined up for the blind bridge further along, an oncoming boat decided to proceed through this awkward angled bridge regardless. He apparently didn't realise that a blast on a hooter meant there was a boat near enough under the bridge. He was quite embarrassed!
Colwich Lock - the boys wait in the rain for their ride on the butty again
Me and the boys walked from our overnight mooring at Colwich, meeting Richard at the lock with the gates open ready for him to pull in. We then moored above the next lock at Great Haywood on the Visitor Moorings. Unfortunately, I had, in my decrepit old age forgotten to pick up the dog shovel and the dog leads at Colwich Lock! So, the afternoon walk consisted of a lovely long walk back to the lock to find amazingly, our lead and shovel tied to the fence at the lock. There are some considerate people out there!
Another commission for a client done and dusted!
We had a good weekend at Great Haywood after we had had to swap the gift shop over to face the other towpath!
Our next festival is Norbury Junction on Mayday. Please come and see us and the attractions if you can!
Need to renew your daffs xxx
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