Next.......

......On to the Trent and Mersey canal.

Friday was a no cruising day for Rod and me, Costas decided he wanted to head back to Birmingham so he set off during a dry spell, Rod and I discussed options and decided that there should be a break in the rain showers mid morning on Saturday and if all was well we would head off and have enough time to reach our destination before heavy rain set in.

We were um’ing and r’ing a bit from 10am, it couldn’t make up its mind, rain or not rain, but around 10:45 with a break we decided the time was right, Rod led off.

It didn’t take long to reach the end of the Coventry canal which is marked by a small pedestrian swing bridge at Fradley Junction. Rod pulled in to open the bridge and I carried on turning left on to the Trent and Mersey to set the first lock of the day while Rod followed on behind me.

Rod approaching the swing bridge.

Me passing through the narrow passage.

and emerging at Fradley junction, right for Burton left for Stoke.

As Rod emerges another boat leaves lock 17 and heads in on to
the Coventry canal

There was a boat coming down lock 18 as I arrived so I helped them through and then Rod took Tilly Mint in, I locked him through and as we could see the next lock was in his favour he set off for that while I turned the lock for my own passage and went through.

When I arrived at lock 19 there was a volounteer in attendance so I stayed aboard and he locked me through.

Lovely volounteer who told me to stay aboard 

I spotted these two on the roof of a boat and after snapping a pic asked the owner how popular they were with photographers, he said ‘very’ and ‘one day someone on the towpath is going to get to close trying for a close up and the female bird will have them!’, I wouldn't risk that for picture!

At Wood end Lock (20) there was a young couple coming down on a big old boat, so I helped them through before going through what was the last lock for today.

Leaving the last lock of the day.

It took a while to catch Rod up, first passing Kings Bromley Wharf and Marina before reaching the village of Handsacre.

A bit of a delay for me at Handsacre as a holiday boat ahead attempted to moor, it took a while and he apologised for the delay but I just said “no problem, enjoy the rest of your holiday”.

There were a couple of nice views before reaching the Armitage factory where all the WC’s pans etc are made, a bit grim looking, and I finally had sight of Rod again.

Just a goods train going over the bridge, it doesn't happen at the right time
often!

Armitage factory, large and grim looking.

The showers began somewhere here and it’s quite narrow and bendy, but we got through ok arriving at the site of the old Armitage tunnel, which is no longer a tunnel having had the roof removed, but it is single working and with a blind entrance, the advice is to send a crew member ahead, ok if you happen to have a crew member but for solo boaters it’s usually just take a chance, what’s the worst that can happen! Anyway as we were travelling together Rod pulled in again and walked ahead waving me on once he could see it was clear, before following me through himself.

The entrance, no chance of seeing it's clear before heading in.

Another weird statue at the tunnel exit. 

Rod emerging

After the tunnel that is not a tunnel I waved Rod ahead.

I don't normally follow this close, he's just passed me.

Our intended stop was at Rugeley and Rod had better knowledge than I about the moorings, so better he lead in.

Nice new houses, but what about that view from your bedroom window!

Moorings spotted I passed Rod and pulled over only to find I couldn’t get my bow close to the bank, so I moved forward about 10’ and tried again with success, after tying up I investigated the depth and found this in the Canal.

Yes the old shopping trolley, Waitrose this one

Having removed that and moved my boat back to the original position Rod was able to move up ahead of me, it all ended ok. Rod took the trolley back to Waitrose later!

Current mooring:

Of course it rained while I was fishing out the trolley and mooring up!

Totals yesterday: 8½ miles : 3 locks : 1 moveable bridge : 1 tunnel (that is not a tunnel)

Today allowed me to do a couple of shops to Tesco and dispose of my recycling, tomorrow is forecast to be gusty with winds up to 60mph, so I think we’ll stay put and I’ll do a trip to the launderette to get duvet sets washed and dried!