Back moving....to Fradley Junction.

My slightly aggravated back problem let me know it was more than slightly aggravated, when I woke in the morning after a rough night without much sleep I rolled out of bed, literally, and got some pain killers, I attempted to walk to the shop, but after 50yards decided that was not going to happen so I spent most of yesterday on my back resting it uncomfortably, this morning it had eased enough to move on with a heatpad and back support in position and the knowledge that I had no locks or movable bridges to contend with.

So about 10:30 in the drizzle I carefully cast off, conditions were not great but I wanted to get going and not lose any more time, it was unsurprisingly very quiet to begin with. I was soon passing Huddlesford Junction where the abandoned Wyrley and Essington Canal once led towards the wonderfully named Ogley Junction, the (now) short branch is currently occupied by Lichfield Cruising Club until such time as the canal is restored, if that happens.

Club Headquarters

Private club member moorings along the branch.

Handily  for the cruising club, just around the bend on the main canal is The Plough public house.

Another example of the sometimes weird and wonderful boat varieties you see as you meander along.

Passing by Kings Orchard marina and suddenly it got quite busy with four boats passing me in the opposite direction.

Kings Orchard marina entrance.

The next place of note was a busy Streethay Wharf.

Nobody about but work going on somewhere

I assume Daysy is their dayboat for hire.

Boats brested makes for a narrow gap but ok as long as nothing is heading your way

For a short time you are joined by the A38 which runs alongside the canal and the change in noise levels is very noticeable as the cars thunder along at 20 times the speed I am travelling at.

It didn’t take much longer to reach my destination, Fradley Junction and I am moored on the visitor moorings just before the Junction.

I went for a stroll, this small swingbridge

is just before the Junction which is the end of the Coventry Canal as we now join the Trent and Mersey Canal, Right is towards Burton on Trent and Left towards Stoke on Trent, I will be heading left but not going as far as Stoke at this time as I will be doing a circular route (probably) and turning left down the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal at the next junction, Great Haywood.

This way to Burton on Trent, looking from Junction Lock.

This way to Stoke on Trent, the junction can be seen after this lock on the left
I am moored down there.

There is a pub at the junction on the right in the picture above, I have been threatening to actually go and have a pint in one of the many pubs I've passed for sometime now and I think this could be the one, maybe tomorrow!

Tonights mooring.

Total today: 5 miles