Breezy, chilly......

......but not at all bad.

We stayed put yesterday to avoid the worse of the wind, it gave me the chance to visit the launderette and get two duvet sets washed and dried avoiding having them taking up the cabin space drying for a couple of days.

Today we decided it was ok to move on so cast off about 8:50 with Rod leading the way, out through the remainder of Rugeley and over the Brindley Bank (Trent) Aqueduct.

Another tree that needs a trim.

Trent Aqueduct.

River Trent below.

On through open and breezy countryside,

before reaching Colwich and the first lock of the day. As Rod was leading he went off to set the lock for me to move into it.

Rod walking up to the lock.

After going through myself I pulled onto the lock landing and set it for Rod to go through and then with another boat approaching to go down, I left the gates open and followed on behind Rod.

The other boat goes in as I move off of the landing.

We passed by a large group of youngsters preparing to set off in canoes, they were all still on the bank with just and instructor on the water so there was no problems.

Approaching Great Haywood gives a brief opportunity to see Shugborough Hall through the vegetation.

At Haywood lock there was plenty of helpers so I moved through that and left Rod to follow on later.

In.....

...and out.

We both wanted water but weren’t desperate which was fortunate as the water point was busy, so I carried on past the junction and then Great Haywood Marina

Canalside Cafe.

Great Haywood Marina, I looked at a few boats there prior to buying Quinqireme,

At the next lock Hoo Mill (23) a boat was just coming out so I had a straight run in, and with another boat waiting to go down the lock, another easy exit.

I passed by a traveller site and among the mix of white vans, Mercedes, and horse boxes were an old and new version of horse drawn gypsy caravan.

 I was on the lookout for a mooring by now as thirst, hunger and a general feeling that I was fed up with the strong breeze, had all set in, I saw a couple of places which would have suited me had I been travelling alone but they were not big enough for two boats.

Arriving at Weston lock (24) which is just after a blind bend I had a bit of bother as I tried to keep out of the way of a boat leaving the lock, running aground once and having to change tack to pass him on the left, which sorted the problem,then I decided to take a picture of the lock entrance.

I was a bit close, and even closer by the time I had put the camera down, not as close as it looks as it is on zoom, but I have to confess to giving the bridge a little metal on brickwork kiss before admonishing my own stupidity for  taking that picture at that time!

I finally found a suitable mooring spot at Weston-on-Trent, although on a bend the canal is plenty wide enough and there was plenty of room for Rod to pull in behind when he caught up.

Current Mooring:

Totals today: 8 miles : 4 locks

Tomorrow I will probably take a stroll around what is, I think, a new village to me.