Hide and Seek

We took a wander around the village of Weston on Wednesday, it is quite pleasant and well looked after and boasts a mention in the Domesday book but with a large amount of fairly modern pockets of housing, added to that a very busy main road (A518) along one side of it rather spoiling it for me, no village store to be found but two public houses, one either side of the canal, the nearest being the Saracen’s Head which was closed for renovation with a re-opening due for November. The second pub was in the village and later in the early evening we returned and partook of sustenance in the form of food and ale, it was quite nice and reasonably priced.

The Woolpack, by the village green

Here’s a few picture of some of the nicer looking property and the village green which doubles as a sports ground and playground.

Having seen all we wanted to of the village itself we walked back along the A518 pausing for a look at the Parish Church of St. Andrew whose bell tower dates from early 13^th century with the church being restored in the 1860’s and 1870’s.

Continuing on as far as the bridge over the river Trent which afforded a view of some woodland up on the hill and also of Weston Hall, a manor house built in 1550 but now a 4 star hotel with rooms at £120-£150 per night.

 Wednesday night was very blustery and with the boat being bumped against the edge it led to a disturbed sleep for me, Thursday the forecast was again very blustery and the decision was easily reached to stay put for another day.

Today was a much better day for cruising and we cast off around 8:45, with me leading, in bright sunlight and crisp Autumn weather.

How’s this for a nice view from your mooring.

Bridge 82 had some money spent building it, not your usual plain arch, although the brickwork on the other side did not match, a similar but far simpler design.

Bright sunlight behind us, that's Rod following on.

At the first lock of the day Sandon lock (25) I pulled on to the landing and set the lock for Rod to come up, once through he stopped and assisted me and was joined by the crew from another boat so that helped as he didn’t need to close up.

I often ponder peoples thinking.

This chap with plenty of room before and after chose to moor
right opposite the overgrown vegetation. 

And this chap obviously thought no one would spot his bow and stern
lines attached to the piling, just teasing really, he wants people to slow :-)

A lovely open stretch of farmland.

If I hide under the tree no-one will see me!

Before passing Aston Marina and arriving at lock 26 Aston lock.

 Somewhere along the way Rod ended up in front and pulled onto the service point just before the locks (27-30) at Stone to fill with water, I opted to continue on up the locks and try to find a mooring and when I reached lock 27 alongside The Star pub a volounteer was there and he locked me through.

I continued up through lock 28.

passing the Canal Cruising wharf with quite a few hire boats now back in place ready to be prepared for the 2018 season.

On past the now closed Jules Brewery ale store house.

To arrive at the interesting entrance to lock 29 which takes you through a tunnel like road bridge to enter the lock, there is another ‘tunnel’ alongside for pedestrians.

Arriving at what I hoped would be the last lock of the day (30) there was a boat coming down, so I held station mid canal and waited so that I could go straight in as he emerged.

I had been looking for a mooring and was lucky to spot two gaps on the five day visitor moorings, Stone is very popular and quite busy always, I took the second space and texted Rod to tell him about the other space.

Current mooring:

Totals today: 7 miles : 6 locks

Overall a lovely days cruise.